Charlotte, NC-The Wheeling Jesuit University Men’s and Women’s Swimming programs had their highest finish at the conference championships in several seasons.  The men’s team finished the Day four of competition in 9th place ahead of WVIAC rivals Salem International and Fairmont State University but behind WV Wesleyan.  The women’s squad finished ahead of WV Wesleyan and behind Fairmont State University. 

The final night of competition saw several Cardinals swim lifetime bests in the championships.  Beginning with the 1650 the Lady Cards finished 9th and 14th with Juniors Ali Hengesbach (19:16.77) and Sarah Bell (21:06.96) respectively.  Logan Hupp represented the men’s team in the same event with a 15th place swim in a time of 18:11.30.

Senior Patrick Snell finished off his last meet for the Cards with a 13th place finish in the 200 Back with a time of 2:06.86.  Sergio Bracamontes swam a lifetime best 2:01.62 in the 200 yard butterfly, and earned 10th place. 

The women’s 400 Freestyle relay of Ali Hengesbach, Kristin Gandee, Erica Walker and Sarah Bell swam a season best 4:09.79 for 10th place in the meet.  The Cardinal men Sergio Bracamontes, Patrick Snell, Kevin Rico, and Michael Phillips earned the 8th place spot with a time of 3:21.58.

Head Coach Rick West had this to say about the meet, “This was a major accomplishment for our team.  We started the year off with two swimmers returning and battled our way to a respectable showing at the championships.  I am confident that with our returning swimmers and incoming recruits we will improve even more next season.”

Real time results 

Charlotte, NC-The Cardinal Men and Women completed the 3rd night of competition at the Bluegrass Mountain Championships with several season best swims.  The women’s 200 Medley Relay of Erica Walker, Ali Hengesbach, Kristin Gandee, and Sara Bell finished 10th with a time of 2:06.25.  The Men’s 200 Medley Relay team finished 8th with a time 1:41.46 (Pat Snell, Michael Phillips, and Kevin Rico).

Senior Patrick Snell swam in both the 400 Individual Medley and 100 Backstroke consolation finals of the evening session.  Snell finished 12th in the 400 IM with a time of 4:33.26 and 15th in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 58.04.

Junior Captain Ali Hengesbach and Sophomore Kristin Gandee both competed in the 400 IM swimming times of 5:04.89 (14th) and 5:21.08 (16th).

Sophomore Sergio Bracamontes finished 13th in the 100 Butterfly with a time of 54.22 during his consolation finals swim. 

The swims of the evening came during the Men’s and Women’s 800 Freestyle Relays as freshman Kenny Wessel and Junior Sarah Bell both came from behind on the anchor legs of their respective relays to move their teams up the rankings to places of 7th (7:44.23) and 9th (9:10.72).

The Men’s team ended the evening in 9th place and the women’s team in 11th. 

Coach Rick West had this to say about the evening, “Our teams really stepped it up a level tonight.  We swam faster at night than we did in our preliminary session, we are swimming lifetime bests, and we are racing until the end of our races, things are really starting to come together at this meet.”

The Cards will enter into their final day of competition tomorrow as the meet concludes.

Real time results  

Charlotte, NC-The Wheeling Jesuit University Men’s and Women’s swimming teams competed in day 2 of competition at the Bluegrass Mountain Swimming and Diving Championships.  The Cardinal Men, Kevin Rico, Patrick Snell, Sergio Bracamontes and Michael Phillips, finished first in both consolation finals of the 200 Freestyle Relay and 400 Medley Relay with times of 1:30.85 and 3:45.77 respectively.

During the preliminary session several Cardinal Swimmers had lifetime best swims.  Freshman Kenny Wessel dropped over 25 seconds on his way to swimming a 5:25.15 in the 500 Freestyle. 

Freshman Erica Walker bettered her time in the 200 IM with a time of 2:40.34.  Sarah Bell (Jr) and Kevin Rico (Jr) both improved their times in the 50 Freestyle with times of 30.33 and 23.56 respectively.

The Cardinals will be back in action tomorrow as the meet continues at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center in Charlotte, NC.

Real time results  

Men - Team Rankings - Through Event 12

Charlotte, NC-The Wheeling Jesuit University Men’s and Women’s Swimming Teams entered into the opening night of the Bluegrass Mountain Conference.  Both men’s and women’s teams began competition in the evenings lone event the 1000 yard Freestyle. 

Junior Captain Ali Hengesbach opened things up for the Lady Cards by placing 16th in the 1000 and swimming a lifetime best 11:48.59. 

Junior Logan Hupp began the competition for the men by dropping almost 40 seconds and placing 20th with his lifetime best 10:50.81. 

Coach Rick West had this to say about the opening night, “We had two great swims this evening.  Logan dropped an amazing 40 sec off his time and Ali also had a lifetime best and scored in the process.  I am really looking forward to the rest of the week.”

The Cardinals will be back in action tomorrow at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center in Charlotte, NC. 

Real time results 

Official site for the men’s meet

Official site for the women's meet

Fairmont, WV-The Lady Cardinal Swimmers of Wheeling Jesuit split their last dual meet contest of the season losing to Fairmont Sate University 120-35 and winning against Salem University 11-0. 

Ali Hengesbach started off the day by winning the 1000 Freestyle with a season best 11:50.05.  Hengesbach also scored a second place finish in the 100 butterfly. 

Sophomore Kristin Gandee earned a second place in the 200 IM and a third in the 100 backstroke while Sarah Bell scored a fourth in the 50 Freestyle and third in the 100 Freestyle. 

Freshman Erica Walker placed third twice, once in the 50 Freestyle and the other being the 100 Breaststroke.

 “Our women’s team worked really hard this season,” head coach Rick West said. “With only having four women, it was challenging but I am really proud of them for winning the two conference meets that they did.”  

The Cardinals will finish off the season at the Bluegrass Mountain Conference Championships beginning February13th in Charlotte, NC.

For more information about Wheeling Jesuit University swimming please contact head coach Rick West at 304-243-2399 or at www.wju.edu.

Cards End Season With Wins Versus Fairmont and Salem

Fairmont, WV-The Wheeling Jesuit University Men’s swimming team completed its regular season with a record of 4-7 (3-2) this weekend at the Feaster Natatorium in Fairmont.                     

The Cardinals beat the Falcons 90-75 and the Tigers of Salem 11-7. 

Junior Logan Hupp was the loan triple winner of the day winning the 1,000 Freestyle with a time of 11:32.38 and the 500 Freestyle with a time of 5:47.76.  Hupp was also part of the winning 800 Freestyle Relay which also consisted of Kevin Rico, Michael Phillips and Freshman Kenny Wessel.   

Sophomore Sergio Bracamontes scored a double win for the Cards with wins in the 100 Butterfly and 200 Freestyle (56.82, 1:52.91). 

Senior Michael Phillips had a key win in his hometown as he out touched Kyle Lilley of Fairmont in the 100 Freestyle with a time of 51.25. 

Senior Patrick Snell notched a win in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 59.60. 

Overall Jesuit won 7 of 11 events for the win.

 “This was a huge win for our program,” Head coach Rick West said. “First we secured a winning season in the conference with today’s wins. Second to beat a team like Fairmont that is consistently a great team year in and year out twice in one season shows that we are back on the right track.”

“ We are far from there, but definitely headed in the right direction,” West said.

 The Cardinals will finish off the season at the Bluegrass Mountain Conference Championships beginning February13th in Charlotte, NC.

For more information about Wheeling Jesuit University Swimming, contact head coach Rick West at 304-243-2399 or at www.wju.edu.

Wheeling, WV-For the second time this season the Men’s Swimming Team of Wheeling Jesuit has won by a single point, defeating Wilmington College at home 94-93. 

The Cards won 8 of 11 events on their way to the win. The meet began with the 200 Medley Relay of Patrick Snell, Logan Hupp, Sergio Bracamontes, and Kevin Rico winning with a time of 1:47.51. 

Senior Patrick Snell won both the 200 IM and the 100 Backstroke in times of 2:08.55 and 58.77 respectively. Junior Kevin Rico had a breakout meet with wins in both the 50 Freestyle (24.24) and the 100 Freestyle (53.41). 

Sophomore Sergio Bracamontes continued to excel as he touched first in the 200 Freestyle with a time of 1:53.80 and 100 Butterfly with a time of 56.45. 

The swim of the meet came in the 100 Breaststroke when the Cardinals had to take 1st and 3rd to win the meet.  Senior Captain Michael Phillips won the event with a time of 1:05.06 and Junior Logan Hupp secured the victory by touching third with a time of 1:11.58. 

“To have our seniors swim like this on their day was great,” Coach Rick West said. “Our guys swam under pressure and still got the job done, I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

The Cards will be in action next week at Wooster when the take on the Fighting Scots at 1:00pm.

Lady Cards Fall to Quakers

Wheeling, WV-The Wheeling Jesuit University Women’s Swimming Team lost to the Wilmington College Quakers 114-43. 

Even during in the loss, several women did have season best and lifetime best swims.  Junior Captain Ali Hengesbach had the team’s only win of the day coming in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:52.83.  Hengesbach placed second in the 100 Freestyle with a time of 12:06.98.   

Sophomore, Kristen Gandee scored a second place in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:13.59.  Junior Sarah Bell and Freshman Eric Walker also had second place finishes in the 100 Butterfly and 100 Breaststroke respectively. 

“Our women’s team has really swam well this weekend,” Head Coach Rick West said. “Every swimmer on the team had at least one lifetime best and all had season bests in their events. We are definitely on track to performing well at the conference meet next month.”

The Lady Cards will be in action again next week at Wooster College when the take on the Fighting Scots at 1:00pm.

Buckhannon, WV 11/17/07-Wheeling Jesuit Men’s Swimming fell to conference opponent West Virginia Wesleyan College 104-40 at the Bobcat Natatorium.  Wesleyan won all 11 events on their way to a route of the Cardinals. 

“Wesleyan swam really well today.  Several of their guys had season bests as did we, the difference was at the finish.  This is a conference opponent and we have to step up our competitive level,” head coach Rick West said.   “I am very anxious to see how we respond after the break.”

Several swimmers had season best times, but none more impressive than Matt Bartoszek in the 500 and 1000 Freestyles with lifetime bests of 5:15.51 and 10:58.89 respectively. 

The men’s team will be in action after the Christmas Break when they take on Findlay and Alma Colleges at Findlay on January12th at 1:00pm.

Cardinal Women win first meet in over 2 seasons

Buckhannon, WV 11/17/07-The Wheeling Jesuit Women’s swimming Team won it’s first meet in over two seasons when they defeated conference opponent West Virginia Wesleyan College 62-57. 

The Lady Cardinals won 5 of 11 events on their way to the upset. The 400 Medley Relay of Erica Walker, Ali Hengesbach, Kristen Gandee and Sarah Bell started off the meet with a win.  Junior Ali Hengesbach touched first in both the 100 Freestyle and 200 Freestyle in times of 1:00.31 and 2:10.99 respectively. 

“This was a great meet for Ali.  She really stepped up her game.  Wesleyan is a great team with an especially strong tradition on the women’s side,” head coach Rick West said.  “Ali’s wins were key in putting us in a position to win.” 

Sophomore Kristen Gandee also touched the wall first with a time of 2:41.77 in the 200 IM.  Sarah Bell scored her first win of the season in the 500 freestyle.  

“Our women’s team had a real breakthrough today.  It was the first time in any of their college careers that they had a win.  It’s not the conference championship, but it is a start, and I’m glad to watch these ladies get WJU swimming back on the right track,” West said.

The Lady Cards will be in action next after the Christmas break at Findlay as they take on Findlay and Alma on January 12th at 1:00pm.   

Wheeling, WV-The Wheeling Jesuit University Men’s Swimming program (1-2) gained its first win of the season over conference rival Fairmont State University (0-1) 87-86.  “I did not realize it until the end of the meet, but someone told me that this was the first win Jesuit has had in more than two seasons,” Head Coach Rick West said. “I really hope that this can be the catalyst for getting our team back on a winning track. Fairmont is always a great squad and I’m thrilled we had the opportunity to race them this evening.”  The Cardinals won 5 of 11 events on their way to victory.  The 200 freestyle relay of Patrick Snell, Kevin Rico, Matt Bartoszek, and Logan Hupp touched first with a time of 1:43.17.  Sophomore, Sergio Bracamontes was a double winner in the 100 butterfly (56.81) and the 200 freestyle (1:56.39).  Teammate, junior Logan Hupp won the 1000 freestyle (12:11.07) and senior Patrick Snell won the 100 backstroke with a time of 58.92.  The men will take to the pool next at 1 p.m., November 17th at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Lady Cardinals Fall to Fairmont State

Wheeling, WV-Wheeling Jesuit University’s Women’s swimming team (0-3) lost to conference opponent Fairmont State University (1-0) by a score of 93-57 on Friday.  Fairmont State won 7 of 11 events.  The Lady Cardinals were lead by captain, junior, Ali Hengesbach as she won the first individual event of the meet with a time of 11:51.46 in the 1000 freestyle.  Hengesbach also added to her point total by placing 2nd in the 500 Free (5:42.87) and 3rd in the 100 breaststroke (1:19.82).  Wheeling Jesuit also gained wins from junior Sarah Bell in the 200 IM with a time of 3:07.64 and freshman Erica Walker in the 100 backstroke (1:11.66).   “Our women’s team really swam hard today,” head coach Rick West said. “We had several in-season improvements and even a couple of lifetime best swims.”  “I am excited to see what we can do later in the season” he said.  The women’s team will be in action again at 11 a.m. on November the 10th as they participate in the Chatham Relays in Pittsburgh.

WJU Men Come Up Short versus West Virginia University and West Virginia Wesleyan

Morgantown-Wheeling Jesuit University Men’s Swimming Team lost it’s opening two meets of the season when it was downed by WVU 63-30 and WVWC 57-38.  The Mountaineers won all 11 events during the opener.  The Cardinals did have several notable performances.  The 200 Medley relay of Pat Snell, Michael Phillips, Sergio Bracamontes, and Kevin Rico came in first against Wesleyan and second to WVU with a time of 1:46.80.  Sophomore Sergio Bracamontes also scored a pair of wins against the Bobcats in the 200 Freestyle (1:56.60) and the 100 Butterfly (57.23).  Wheeling Jesuit tied the meet several times versus Wesleyan but lost the lead after the 100 Freestyle and was unable to take it back.   The Cardinals will take on the Falcons of Fairmont State University next Friday, October 19th at 5:00pm.

Lady Cardinals lose double dual against West Virginia University and West Virginia Wesleyan

Morgantown- Wheeling Jesuit women’s swimming team lost both of it’s opening meets to WVU and WVWC.  The Mountaineers took all 11 events against the Lady Cards in a 55-27 win.  Against Wesleyan, Jesuit took the lead late in the meet with a win in the 500 Freestyle from Sophomore Kristin Gandee (6:25.55) but was unable to hold on for the win as WVWC won the final relay and the meet 41-35.  Gandee also touched first against the Bobcats in the 100 Butterfly (1:16.87).  A win also came from Captain Ali Hengesbach in the 100 Freestyle with a time of 1:01.06.  The Lady Cardinals will take on conference foe, Fairmont State University at home next Friday, October 19th at 5:00pm.

Red Falls to Gold 183-227 in inaugural Red Gold Meet on Alumni Weekend.

(WHEELING, WV), September 22, 2007 — Red Falls to Gold 183-227 in inaugural Red Gold Meet on Alumni Weekend.

The Varsity and Alumni teamed up for Wheeling Jesuit Swimming Team’s first ever Red/Gold Meet.  Varsity and Alumni Swimmers were divided up by Men’s captain Michael Phillips and Women’s Captain Ali Hengesbach in order to create this year’s team.  The gold Team took 3 of 4 relay events which inevitably led to the team’s win 227-183. 

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(WHEELING, WV), September 21, 2007 — Hengesbach and Phillips named Captains for the 2007-2008 Season

Head Swimming Coach announced Junior Ali Hengesbach and Senior Michael Phillips will be the Women’s and Men’s Swim Team Captains for the 2007-08 Season.

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ROSE NAMED ASSISTANT COACH TO SWIMMING PROGRAM

WHEELING, WV — Nicole Rose begins her first season as assistant coach of the Cardinals.

Rose knows Wheeling Jesuit inside and out being a 2004 graduate of the University with a degree in English and a 4 year member of the swimming team.

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WEST RETURNS TO HELM OF WHEELING JESUIT UNIVERSITY SWIMMING PROGRAM

WHEELING, WV — Interim Athletic Director Terry Edwards announced the hiring of head coach and aquatics director Rick West for the 2007-08 season. West rejoins the Cardinals after serving as an assistant coach for the University of Pittsburgh in 2003-2004 and from Duquesne University, where he served as the head coach of the men’s swimming team in 2002-03. Over the past three seasons, West has been coaching United States Swimming Club teams in Southeast Ohio before relocating back to the Ohio Valley.

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