LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Men's Swimming & Diving was just shy of its first home win of the season on Saturday against Davidson.
 
The Keydets were edged out by the Wildcats, 153-147. This marks the smallest point margin in a dual meet since 2012.
 
"I am incredibly proud of our team for the effort they gave in the pool and on the boards today," says VMI Swimming Head Coach Scott Thacker. "It came down to the last few events for our men. Going from being beaten by over 100 points last year to only losing by six points this year is a major step forward."
 
Sophomore Stephen Russell continues to dominate, earning first in the 200 Free (1:43.01) and 500 Free (4:45.89), before tallying more points in the 200 IM with a second-place mark (1:57.89).
 
Putting on a clinic in the quick lane has been freshman Ian Lutz, who blazed through the 50 Free for first place (21.10). Lutz later tallied third in the 100 Free (46.70). Right behind Lutz in the 50 Free was junior Matthew Picard (21.36), who also claimed second in the 100 Fly (50.73).
 
Sophomore Jack Mills has picked up the pace lately, scoring first place in the 200 IM (1:55.55). Mills went on to place second twice in the 100 Free (46.40) and 200 Fly (1:52.30).
 
Landing atop the podium in the 200 Breast was Austin Reeder (2:09.76), who later took home third in the 100 Breast (59.73). Junior Layne Tucker was right in front of Reeder, placing second in the 100 Breast (58.69).
 
Securing points and second place was sophomore Caleb Wolf in the 1,000 Free (10:09.33), followed by junior Sam Castle and sophomore Joshua Wolf, who went two (52.69) and three (53.09), respectively, in the 100 Back.
 
The 200 Medley Relay squad with Castle, Tucker, Picard, and Lutz nabbed first (1:32.57), followed by another first-place finish by the 200 Free Relay team with Lutz, Picard, Castle, and Sam Calder (1:23.56).
 
On the boards, freshman Hudson Weinhagen scored second in the one-meter with 233.63 points, while it was freshman Dorian Albee who earned a team-high 217.95 points in the three-meter for third place.
 
"Both squads are undeniably heading in the right direction, and it has been a lot of fun to watch them work, race, and dive this season," continues Thacker. "The focus over the next few weeks is our tri-meet with Howard and UMBC, and then onto our invite."
 
Next Up
The Keydets travel to Baltimore, Maryland, for a tri-meet against host UMBC and visiting Howard on November 8, starting at 1 p.m.
 
For more information, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow us on social media at VMI Athletics.