Chapman flounders in double-duel

   Blustery winds put a damper on the men and women's swim meet Saturday against teams from California Baptist University and Biola University at California Baptist.

   California Baptist dominated the water, winning 24 of 32 events. Chapman's women lost 237-51 and the men lost 219-50.

   "It's was a typical midseason meet," said Head Coach Dennis Ploessel. "We have a lot of people who are training hard right now, so they're all really tired."

   The team's training efforts are going toward the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference at the end of the season in February at the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool in Long Beach.

   The women's swim team competed in its first intercollegiate meet of the season Oct. 22 at California Baptist. It finished seventh of eight teams at the Redlands Invitational meet with an overall score of 53.5.

   Swimmers struggled to keep their muscles warm while waiting to compete. Junior Amanda Morris tried to stay optimistic despite 50-degree weather.

   "I did backstroke, which is one of the hardest things to do well with the wind," Morris said. "It makes it really hard to swim well, but we're trying our best despite it."

   Senior Laurel Henderson agreed the weather impacted the team's performance.

   "With this weather, we just want to get home," Henderson said.

   The men's and women's teams will compete next at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Invitational Dec. 17-19.