(Akron, Ohio): Clarion University’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams finished an impressive third at the prestigious Akron Invitational last weekend with 11 teams competing including eight Division I programs.

The Golden Eagle women, who scored 1,101.5 points, were led by juniors Megan Trimbur and Bethany Bankovich. Trimbur set a meet and pool record in winning the 200 freestyle in a time of 1:53.24, while also finishing second in the 100 freestyle. She was also part of the winning 200 free and 400 medley relays.

Bankovich set meet and pool records in winning the 200 butterfly with a 2:05.17 clocking. She also won the 100 fly with a 56.93 time, finished second in the 200 I.M., was part of the winning 400 medley relay and the third place 400 free relay.

Jessica Brutz and Bethany Turse also posted top three finishes. Brutz was second in the 50 freestyle and third in the 100 free, while Turse was third in the 50.

Clarion’s men’s scored 1,223.5 points in finishing third. Leading the Eagles were junior Aaron Bell and senior Shawn Colten.

Bell was a three-time individual winner as he set meet and pool records in winning the 100 backstroke in 50.93. He also won the 200 backstroke in 1:51.77 and the 100 freestyle in 46.14. Bell also paced the second place 200 and 400 medley relay teams and third place 800 free relay.

Colten, a two-time NCAA diving champion last year, won the one and three meter competitions. He scored 482.1 points in winning the three meter and 281.30 in capturing the one meter title.

Brian Nicholas finished second in the 1650 freestyle, while teammate Ben Chandlee was second in the 100 breaststroke and fourth in the 200 breaststroke. Bil Wright was third in the 50 free.

The next scheduled action has Clarion at PSAC rival West Chester with Southern Connecticut on Jan. 24-25.

Men’s Team Scoring

1. Ball State - 1,880.5

2. St. Bonaventure- 1,335.0

3. Clarion- 1,223.5

4. Cleveland State- 1,044

5. Xavier- 777.5

6. Westminster- 559.5

7. Wooster- 464.0

8. Ashland- 421.0

9. Ohio University - 403.0

10. Duquesne- 373.0

Women’s Team Scoring

1. Ball State- 1,554.5

2. Akron- 1,369.0

3. Clarion- 1,101.5

4. Ohio University- 932.0

5. Ilinois State- 901.5

6. Wooster- 839.5

7. Xavier- 695.0

8. Duquesne- 672.0

9. Westminster- 277.0

10. Ashland- 276

11. Cleveland State- 252.0