Gardner-Webb Men's Swimming: 2009-10 Season Review
March 14, 2010 | Swimming
BOILING SPRINGS, NC - The 2009-10 campaign for the Gardner-Webb men's swimming team was one where the team met new heights, earning its first winning season, setting several team records, and earning its highest finish ever in conference finals.
In dual meets, the Bulldogs finished with a record of 6-2, improving over last season's 4-4 mark and giving the team its first winning season. The team got its first ever victories over Catawba, Limestone, and College of Charleston, as well as defeating VMI and Florida A&M.
Throughout the course of the year, Gardner-Webb swimmers set 99 new best times, as well as 16 new team records.
Nine new records were set in individual events. Freshman Tyler Nuss led the way for the team, setting three new records with times of 4:40.00 in the 500 yard freestyle, 9:44.62 in the 1000 yard freestyle, and 16:09.35 in the 1650 yard freestyle. Junior Casey Brutus set two records, timing in at 55.93 in the 100 yard breaststroke and 2:03.99 in the 200 yard breaststroke. Junior Steven Caudill set two records with times of 1:49.19 in the 200 yard butterfly and 1:52.25 in the 200 yard IM. Sophomore Sam Woods set a new record in the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 51.78, and freshman Kevin Koenig set the new best time in the 50 yard freestyle, timing in at 20.83.
Four new records were set with the individual splits in relay races. Brutus set two records with split times of 55.60 in the 100 breaststroke and 25.04 in the 50 yard breaststroke. Woods set the best split time for the 100 yard backstroke at 51.78, and freshman Mitch Turner set the best split time in the 200 yard freestyle at 1:44.49
Three new records were set in relays, with times of 1:32.23 in the 200 yard medley relay, 3:22.82 in the 400 yard medley relay, and 1L23.45 in the 200 yard freestyle relay.
At the 2010 Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA) Championships, Gardner-Webb came from 75 points down the final night of the meet to overtake defending champion College of Charleston to earn second place overall. Steven Caudill took the conference championship in the 200 yard butterfly with a time of 1:49.19, after finishing second in the event the two previous years.
Eleven members of the team were named to the CCSA All-Conference team. Making the list were Casey Brutus, Collin Burchins, Steven Caudill, Drew Ellwanger, DJ Hughes, Kevin Koenig, Adam Middleton, Chris Musco, George Partin, Mitch Turner, and Sam Woods.
After a successful 2009-10 campaign, the Bulldogs will now focus on the next season, and prepare to make a run at the team's first ever CCSA championship.
