Gophers Win Four Events in Season Debut Against Crusaders

TOWSON, Md. -- A pair of first-place finishes from Colin Richter (Cleburne, Texas/Cleburne) highlighted four overall event victories for the Goucher men's swimming team, but it was not enough to push the Gophers past Susquehanna, as the Crusaders came away with a 135.5-118.5 victory in the season opener for both teams.

Morgan Richter (Cleburne, Texas/Cleburne) and Sam Davis (Wilmington, Del./Wilmington Friends) added event wins for Goucher (0-1, 0-1 Landmark), and the Gophers also had six second-place finishes against Susquehanna (1-0, 1-0 Landmark), which was projected to finish second in the conference this year in a preseason coaches poll.

Colin earned victories in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:04.42) and the 100 individual medley (56.76). His 100 breast time was a personal best during his time as a Gopher. He added a time of 25.97 in the 50 backstroke which placed him second behind winner Lucas Cherry.

Morgan cruised to a win in the 100 butterfly, as his time of 53.30 was nearly three seconds ahead of second-place finisher Eric Lawrence. He also earned a second-place finish in the 1000 free, posting a time of 10:24.93 which was just .43 off his personal best.

Davis (22.73) out-touched Jourdan Stewart by two-tenths of a second to win the 50 free. His time of 50.92 in the 100 free was .46 away from second-place finisher Danny Csakai.

Ben Shriner (Arlington, Mass./Arlington) and Cody Nelson (Duanesburg, N.Y./Schalmont) rounded out Goucher's individual second-place finishers, while the Gophers' 400 medley and 400 free relay teams also managed top-two results. Shriner recorded a 1:58.38 in the 200 free which was dead-even with Susquehanna's Connor Mitchell. Nelson posted a 30.81 in the 50 breast.

Goucher garnered all 47 available points in the final three events after Susquehanna declared the races exhibitions for its entries.

The Gophers return to the pool on Saturday, November 2 when the team travels to St. Mary's (Md.) for a 1 p.m. meet.