Boiling Springs, N.C. - Gardner-Webb men's swimming fought back from an early deficit, but ultimately fell to College of Charleston 143-119 on Saturday.

GWU endured narrow losses throughout the day, including one in the meet-opening 200 medley relay, to keep the Cougars within closing distance until the final event. The quartet of Colin James, Drew Ellwanger, DJ Hughes, and Cole Hickey achieved a second place finish in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:36.05.

In the 1650 free, sophomore Sam Wilson (New Bern, N.C.) raced to a second place finish, swimming a time of 16:42.20. Junior Tyler Nuss (Hamilton, Ohio) reached third place with a season best time of 16:55.23, and senior Derek Gore (Madison, Ala.) grabbed fourth place in 17:08.80.

Senior Samuel Woods (Clemson, S.C.) led Gardner-Webb with a third place finish in the 200 free, touching the wall in 1:47.39.

The Runnin' Bulldogs would cut into Charleston's lead after Jordan Denmark (Raleigh, N.C.) claimed first place in the 100 back (52.10), the first of three individual wins on the day for the sophomore. James (Greensboro, N.C.) was third in the event with a time of 53.51 for GWU.

Ellwanger (Newborn, Ga.) continued his winning ways Saturday, claiming first place in the 100 breast with a time of 57.56. Senior Collin Burchins (Lilburn, Ga.) reached third for Gardner-Webb in 1:00.24.

Sophomore Cody Meyers (Mobile, Ala.) raced to a second place finish in the 200 fly, achieving a time of 1:57.89 in the event. Hughes (Snellville, Ga.) was third for GWU at 1:59.70.

Burchins paced GWU in the 50 free, finishing fourth with a time of 22.48. In the 100 free, Hughes finished second in 48.56 to lead Gardner-Webb.

Gardner-Webb got right back in the meet, placing 1-2 in the 200 back and 1-2-3 in the 200 breast. Denmark got his second win of the day in the 200 back with a time of 1:56.56. Taft Kallam (Randleman, N.C.) completed the 1-2 finish with a time of 1:59.60, closing fast to finish second in the event. Ellwanger (2:09.26), Burchins (2:11.92), and Phil Leonard (2:16.89) grabbed the top three spots in the 200 breast.

Wilson led GWU in the 500 free, finishing third with a time of 4:48.90. In the 100 fly, Hughes finished second with a time of 52.82 to pace the Runnin' Bulldogs. Freshman Brandon Searle (Melbourne, Fla.) took fourth in 54.50.

GWU got a great effort in the 400 IM, led by Denmark's first place finish in a GWU pool record time of 4:08.70. Nuss grabbed second in 4:13.22, and Meyers was fourth with a time of 4:17.12.

GWU finished second in the meet-closing 200 free relay. The team of Hickey, Searle, Woods, and Denmark led Gardner-Webb, achieving a time of 1:27.67. The Cougars claimed first and third in the event to provide the final margin.

Prior to the meet, seniors Collin Burchins, Derek Gore, Christopher Musco, Clayton Vickers, and Samuel Woods were recognized for their contributions to the Gardner-Webb swimming program and Boiling Springs community.

GWU will now get ready for 2012 CCSA Championships, to be held February 16-18 at the University of Georgia (Athens, Ga.).