Lexington, Ky. – The Transylvania swim and dive team launched its 2018-19 season with a tremendous performance at home Saturday afternoon against the Asbury College Eagles at the William T. Young Center with the women's squad picking up a 130-124 season-opening victory.

Saturday's opener witnessed a slew of great performances from newcomers and marked improvements from returnees who raised their collective game from last year. A budding Transylvania men's team fell to the Eagles 151-85, leading to a 275-215 combined score win for the Eagles, but the Pioneers drew upon a collection of individual performances from the men's squad.

Freshman Reese Arredondo signaled his arrival to the college circuit by winning two races on Saturday. Arredondo picked up a victory in the men's 1000 freestyle, completing the arduous swim in 10:36.67, winning by more than a minute over the second-place finisher from Asbury. Arredondo added to his wins with a first-place showing in the men's 500 freestyle, winning over teammate Ben Smith in a time of 5:12.76. The two combined for a 1-2 finish in the race to scoop up points.

Sophomore Noah Collins began his second campaign with the Pioneers on a high note, capturing first place in the men's 50 freestyle in a blistering 23.54. Freshman Dylan Ruddy had a good debut in the race, finishing a nudge behind Collins in 23.82.

Saturday's meet featured clutch performances across the board from the Transylvania women as more than one picked up multiple first-place finishes. Junior Sarah Haerle, Transy's reigning All-HCAC first-teamer, claimed victories in the women's 200 IM (2:21.23), the 100 breaststroke (1:11.70), the 200 breaststroke (2:35.14), and also teamed with sophomore Emma Lloyd, junior Mattie Fogle, and freshman Lindsey Seaton to win the women's 200 medley relay in 1:57.43.

There were more terrific performances on Saturday from both Seaton and Fogle. The freshman Seaton had a strong debut with a first-place showing in the women's 50 freestyle, winning in 25.78, and also captured a win in the 100 freestyle, winning by nearly three seconds with a time of 55.80.

Fogle contributed to team and individual glory on Saturday; along with her role in the women's 200 medley relay, she also was part of a first-place Transy squad in the 200 free relay which won in 1:50.15. Fogle wrapped up her day with a victory in the women's 1000 freestyle, winning the marathon race in 11:52.23.

Lloyd was another Pioneer swimmer with a terrific day as she was part of two relay teams which captured victories and won the women's 100 backstroke in 1:05.90.

After an impressive season debut, the Pioneers will head to Wilmington, Ohio on Saturday, November 3 to face Wilmington College and Wittenberg University in a tri-meet.

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