CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Washington and Lee men's and women's swimming teams were in action on Saturday afternoon in a tri-match held at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center. Both the men and women defeated Catawba and Ashland and both fell to Wingate.

The W&L men (9-1) were led by senior Paul Crook (Nashville, Tenn./Montgomery Bell), who won the 200 free with an NCAA "B" cut time of 1:42.59, won the 500 free (4:47.27), finished third in the 200 IM (1:56.91) and swam a leg on the third-place 200 medley relay team that finished in 1:38.24. He was joined on the relay team by senior Chris Diebold (Platte City, Mo./Lansdale Catholic), first-year Brian Stirling (Skillman, N.J./Montgomery) and junior Brandon Barnds (Mission Hills, Kan./Shawnee).

Junior Dan Austin (Terrace Park, Ohio/Mariemont) placed second in the 1000 free (10:09.19), while Diebold finished third in both the 200 free (1:46.88) and 500 free (4:56.26). Senior Brett Tatman (Marietta, Ga./Walton) placed third in the 100 back (55.02) and the 200 back (1:58.86).

Senior Lindsey Strachan (Midlothian, Va./Governor's School) led the women with a first-place finish in the 200 back (2:10.27) and a third-place finish in the 100 back (1:01.77). She also swam on the second-place 200 medley relay team that finished in 1:54.53. She was joined by junior Lynn Bazzel (Atlanta, Ga./Lovett), senior Julianne Miata (Valhalla, N.Y./Westlake), and junior Sarah Simpson (Charlotte, N.C./South Mecklenburg).

First-year Elizabeth Starnes (Harrison, Tenn./Girls Prep) won the 500 free (5:21.62) and finished second in the 200 free (2:00.58), while sophomore Tess Hayden (Winnetka, Ill./New Trier) placed second in the 500 free (5:23.25). Senior Susan Mahoney (Richmond, Va./St. Catherines) added a second-place finish in the 200 IM (2:15.81).

Both the W&L men and women will be in action again on Jan. 17 as they host Gettysburg for a 2:00 pm dual meet.

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