One has to look past the score in Ball State men's swimming and diving team's 119-170 loss to see the real value of Saturday's meet with conference-power Eastern Michigan.
In the losing effort, the Cardinals recorded 30 season-best times and as a result actually turned in arguably their best meet of the season.
"Guys really stepped up and did well, and we had some outstanding swims," coach Bob Thomas said.
One of those who stepped up in a big way was junior Chris Krupa. He turned in his second best time ever in the 100-meter butterfly with a 50.92 mark, and posted a lifetime best in the 200 breaststroke, winning the event with a time of 2:11.50.
"The breaststroke win was a surprise because he's not usually a breaststroker," Thomas said.
The Cardinals added four more wins, courtesy of junior Gavin McNeeley in the 100 breaststroke (a season-best 58.81), sophomore Michael Weber in the 200 IM, freshman Jake Brehmer in 1-meter diving, and in the 400 freestyle relay consisting of junior Casey Schroeder, McNeely, Krupa, and freshman Tucker Hale.
The women's team picked up a thrilling 156-144 win with a one-two finish in the 400 freestyle relay.
Coach Laura Seibold-Caudill effusively praised her entire team, from freshman to seniors, even graduate assistant coach Mike Kerr.
"Looking back in my career, this was a top-five win," said Seibold-Caudill, "Knowing where we've been in the last few years, at the bottom of the conference, everything just fell together."
In fact, the Cardinals had lost to Eastern Michigan by 40, 50, and 20 points in each of their matchups in the last three seasons. This year is different though, thanks in large part to the Cardinals' senior leadership.
"We'll win a lot of meets and swim faster than we should thanks to our team chemistry," Seibold-Caudill said.
"That's the piece we've been missing the past couple of years and it comes from the seniors…they all enjoy it and they've been working harder than ever."
Fittingly, senior Katie Bylsma swam the anchor leg for the 400 freestyle A-relay, but the Cardinals' team depth was key throughout the meet.
The Cardinals finished 2-3-4 in three different events in the meet, went 1-2 in two events as well, and it was freshman through seniors picking up points in those events.
"The most exciting thing was our desire to win…the whole team was swimmer of the meet this time," Seibold-Caudill said.
Seibold-Caudill mentioned Kerr, a first-year graduate assistant, for his "drive and how he uses every ounce of energy…he understands why you coach and he makes me want to match his excitement and energy."
Both teams are back in action on November 12 for the House of Champions meet at IUPUI.
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