Storm finish in the middle of the pack at Pioneer Classic

GRINNELL, Iowa -- Noah Nelson placed first in two events and seven more top-ten finishes collectively placed the men's swimming and diving team in sixth out of 11 teams after the two-day Pioneer Classic on Dec. 2.

The Storm finished in the middle of the pack with 328 points, three points behind fifth-place Monmouth. Gustavus Adolphus won the classic with 1381.5 points.

Nelson's top finishes came in the 400 IM and 1650 freestyle, two events he hasn't competed in yet this season. The freshman finished the 400 IM with a time of 4:16.52 and the 1650 freestyle at 17:03.64, right after competing in the 800 freestyle relay.

Nelson's other top time of 55.91 in the 100 IM placed him in third.

Simpson's four other top-ten times came from the 200 medley relay, 100 backstroke, 800 freestyle relay and 100 freestyle.

Up Next
The Storm are back in action after the new year and travel to Austin, Texas on Jan. 4.

Meet Report
200 freestyle relay — t8. Noah Bruns, James McKee, Ryan Gaumer, Nick Keller, 1:32.87
500 freestyle — 2. Noah Nelson, 4:53.47; 31. Sam Law, 5:35.18
200 IM — 36. Blake Kakacek, 2:21.94
50 freestyle — 14. Ryan Gaumer, 23.02; 20. Noah Bruns, 23.21; 53. James McKee, 24.81
400 medley relay — 6. Nick Keller, Noah Nelson, Ryan Gaumer, Noah Bruns, 3:45.39; 21. Blake Kakacek,
Austin Andes, James McKee, Sam Law, 4:12.97

200 medley relay — 10. Nick Keller, Noah Nelson, James McKee, Noah Bruns, 1:44.45
400 IM — 1. Noah Nelson, 4:16.52; 24. Blake Kakacek, 5:12.66
100 butterfly — 14. Nick Keller, 56.19; 38. James McKee, 1:03.33
200 freestyle — 16. Noah Bruns, 1:59.24
100 breaststroke — 28. Mason Remington, 1:08.56; 30. Austin Andes, 1:08.99
100 backstroke — 8. Nick Keller, 56.66; 34. Blake Kakacek, 1:03.80
800 freestyle relay — 7. Nick Keller, Sam Law, James McKee, Noah Nelson, 7:53.80
1650 freestyle — 1. Noah Nelson, 17:03.64; 17. Sam Law, 19:20.26
100 IM — 3. Noah Nelson, 55.91; 14. Nick Keller, 58.21; 29. Austin Andes, 1:02.58; 37. Mason Remington, 1:05.11
200 backstroke — 28. Blake Kakacek, 2:27.17
100 freestyle — 6. Nick Keller, 49.98; 15. Noah Bruns, 51.69; 40. Ryan Gaumer, 55.41; 41. Austin Andes, 55.78; 43. James McKee, 56.37; 47. Sam Law, 57.28
200 breaststroke — 24. Mason Remington, 2:41.01; 25. Austin Andes, 2:41.20
400 freestyle relay — 12. Noah Bruns, James McKee, Noah Nelson, Ryan Gaumer, 3:29.48; 23. Austin Andes, Mason Remington, Sam Law, Blake Kakacek, 3:50.57

Team Standings
1. Gustavus Adolphus, 1381.5
2. Grinnell, 1185.5
3. Nebraska Wesleyan, 804
4. Ripon, 397
5. Monmouth, 331
6. Simpson, 328
7. Lawrence, 289
8. Illinois, 252
9. Principia, 127
10. Knox, 115
11. Washington University St. Louis, 69