DAVIDSON, N.C.- Returning to action for the first time since the holiday break, the VMI men's swimming & diving team found it hard to shake off a little rust in dropping decisions to Davidson and Wingate on Saturday afternoon at the Charles A. Cannon Pool in the Baker Sports Complex.

The Keydets fell to Wingate by a 167-56 margin, while the host Wildcats took a 189-41 decision. Those losses dropped VMI's dual record to 1-5 on the season.

Upperclassmen led the way for the Keydets, with senior Kevin Vik placing fifth in the 1000-yard freestyle (10:43.47) and seventh in the 200-yard freestyle (1:55.64), both representing the fastest times swam by a Keydet this season. Junior Jason Webb placed seventh in the 100-yard backstroke (59.31) and eighth in the 500-yard freestyle (5:40.39), while senior Stuart Craft came in seventh in the 100-yard freestyle (51.50) and tenth in the 100-yard backstroke (1:06.79). Seniors Paul Sheldon and Kimball Yamasaki each led the Keydets in events as well, with Sheldon placing seventh in the 500-yard freestyle (5:36.96) and Yamasaki placing eighth in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:06.66).

The team's underclassmen pitched in as well, as sophomore Trevor Stanco placed seventh in the 1000-yard freestyle (11:33.26) and 11th in the 200-yard individual medley (2:18.56). Freshman Charlie Barnett placed seventh in the 50-yard freestyle (24.34) and 11th in the 100-yard butterfly (1:00.65), while freshman Paul DeValk placed eighth in the 50-yard freestyle (26.83) and ninth in the 200-yard freestyle (2:01.23). Fellow rookie Philip Sgrignoli placed eighth in the 100-yard butterfly (56.96) and ninth in the 200-yard individual medley (2:14.28). They were joined by freshman Jeff Turner placed second in both the one-meter and three-meter diving events, scoring 147.12 and 151.80 points, respectively

The event included only two relays, with VMI's team of Vik, junior Peter Blades, Barnett & DeValk placing fourth in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:36.52, while Webb, Craft, Yamasaki and freshman Will Rowcliffe posting a 1:45.45 for a fifth place finish in the 200-yard medley relay.

The Keydets return to the pool next Saturday, participating in a tri-meet with Virginia Tech and Washington & Lee in Blacksburg. That meet will be the team's final preparation for the NEC Championships, as they will look to defend their title on Feb. 15-17 in Landover, Md.