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Storm fall in home opener

Storm fall in home opener

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson men's and women's swimming teams couldn't keep up with Iowa Central Community College in the first home dual of the season on Friday night. 

The men's team suffered a narrow, 68-61 defeat and the women lost 73-40.

After a pair of disqualifications for both Simpson 200 meter medley relay teams, the Storm couldn't recover to catch a fast Iowa Central team. 

The night was highlighted by two thrilling 100 meter breaststroke races by Megan Lein and Kyle McKim. 

Lein had a slight advantage going into the final leg of her race but Iowa Central's Kenzie Adrian just edged her out in the last 15 meters, winning the event by less than one second. Lein posted a time of 1:28.17. 

Kyle McKim had a similar outcome after swimming a great race for the Storm. Staying neck-and-neck for most of the four lengths, McKim was narrowly nudged out by Doug Miller from ICCC, taking second in the event with a time of 1:13.74. 

"Those two races were fun to watch tonight," said interim head coach Eric Crawford. "It was great to see them both attack the race and give it their all."

Reining Iowa Conference Swimmer of the Week James Tillison turned in another strong race placing second in the 100 meter butterfly (1:07.25) and Stephen Schmidt chipped in a runner-up showing in the 100 back (1:11.10). The dual marked the first appearance of the year for Schmidt who broke several school records a year ago.

For the women, freshman Christina Amburgy took second in the 100 free (1:05.51) and swam the fastest leg (30.37) for the Storm 200 meter freestyle relay team. After leading through the halfway mark, the relay of Amburgy, Lein, Marissa Stepleton, and Hannah Yarbrough couldn't hang on for the win, finishing with a time of 2:08.73.

While the Storm swim teams didn't get the team results they wanted, there was no shortage of energy and enthusiasm around the pool.

"One unique quality of our team is that we are constantly standing and cheering for each other," Crawford said. "We have a close-knit group and a synergy that not every team has. That is what will take us to the next level." 

Simpson will jump back in the pool on Saturday, January 12 for a conference dual at Coe starting at 11 a.m.