McMINNVILLE, Ore. --- Linfield men's and women's swimming closed out the weekend home stand on Saturday morning, splitting the Saturday dual with the women's team defeating the Blues, 108-94, and the men's team falling 107-98.
 
The men's 400 yard medley relay kicked thing off on Saturday, with the Linfield team of Sam Postlewait, Jack Sappington, Rocco Velie and Nathan Wilson earning the top spot with a time of 3:38.25, nearly eight seconds faster than the Blues. In the women's 400 medley relay, the team of Karmen Kendoll, Ruby Bentz, Talia Patterson and Rebecca Colburn finished second to Whitman with a time of 4:47.44.
 
In the 1000 yard freestyle, Kai Laitinen kept the momentum going, securing a seven-second victory in the race, carding a 10:28.32. Kirsti Keppo did the same to seal four wins for Linfield at the first intermission, winning the women's 1000 free with ease, carding an 11:28.8. Chloe Lazaraton added more points for the team, as she secured second place in the race, with an 11:46.24.
 
Rocco Velie won the third men's event in a row, posting a 1:47.71 in the 200 yard freestyle. Keppo came up just short in the women's 200 free, falling by one second. Sam Postlewait's win in the quick 50 yard freestyle was the 'Cats fourth win of the day, as he put up a 22.48, followed by Ivan Tontchev who finished second with a 22.54. Caley Haydu also took home the fastest time in the women's 50 freestyle, with a 25.50, with Ella Quijano taking third in the event as well.
 
Prior to the second intermission, the men's streak of wins came to an end when Jack Sappington finished second in the men's 200 yard IM. Kira Etheredge won the women's heat with a 2:17.92, meanwhile Ellie Schmidt took third in the event.
 
Whitman battled back, taking the top two spots in each of the 200 yard butterfly heats, and also winning the men's 100 yard freestyle Caley Haydu claimed the women's 100 free to stop the Blues comeback for a moment, carding a 57.06 while Annikka Fetro finished third in the event.
 
Postlewait returned to the pool to win the 200 yard backstroke over a pair of Blues with a 1:59.33. Logan Mendez finished second in the men's 500 yard freestyle as well. Keppo got back in the winners circle just before the final intermission winning the 500 yard free with a 5:26.74 thanks to some fast closing splits. 
 
Tontchev grabbed another win for the 'Cats in the 200 yard breaststroke, carding a 2:18.48 while Laitinen also finished third. Etheredge also helped Linfield in the tema's score, taking first in the women's 200 breaststroke with a 2:32.33, followed close by Ruby Bentz who took third.
 
In the final two relays of the early afternoon, the men's 400 yard freestyle relay was close throughout, with the 'Cats team of Velie, Sappington, Wilson and Carson Washburn trading places with the Blues top squad. Linfield came up one-second short, taking second and third in the final men's event of the day. Haydu, Lazaraton, Fetro, and Etheredge led the fastest Linfield women's team in the final event, grabbing an early lead on the Blues. The 'Cats would hold the lead from wire to wire, winning by ten seconds with a time of 3:54.95. 
 
The women's team won seven of 11 events, taking down the Blues, 108-94. Although the men's squad won six of 11 events on Saturday, they came up short, 107-98.
 
The 'Cats host senior night next Friday in the final home dual meet of the season, set to take on Lewis & Clark at 5 p.m., honoring nine seniors prior to the meet.
 
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