STANFORD, Calif. - In a hard-fought afternoon of competition, the UC Santa Barbara Men's Swim Team (1-1) faced a tough challenge as they were defeated by the Stanford Cardinal. Stanford demonstrated their formidable prowess by accumulating 165 points, surpassing the Gauchos, who secured 88 points.
Game Changing Moments
Despite the setback on the scoreboard, the day remained exciting, punctuated by inspiring finishes and performances by the Gauchos. Three standout athletes, Taber DaCosta, Kyle Brill, and Corban McIntosh showcased their excellence by clinching not one, but two podium positions each in their respective individual events. DaCosta once again showcased his skills in the long-distance events, securing second place in the 1000-yard freestyle (9:28.78) and third in the 400-yard individual medley race (4:04.67). Junior Kyle Brill also claimed a victory in the 400-yard IM, overtaking DaCosta to earn a second-place finish (3:53.65). He also managed a silver swim in the 200-yard backstroke, finishing with a time of 1:45.24. Corban McIntosh achieved his wins in the breaststroke events, earning second place in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 54.98 and second in the 200-yard, swimming in 2:00.88.
McIntosh was also instrumental in helping the Gauchos secure third place in the 200-yard medley relay, alongside a team composed of Matt Driscoll, Zachary Tamusaitis, and Austin Sparrow, achieving a time of 1:29.71.
Freshies for the Win
Today's meet showcased a multitude of freshman talent as they demonstrated their eagerness to secure victories in several races. Jack Hendrick certainly stood out, securing a third-place finish in the 1000-yard freestyle with a time of 9:30.67, and an impressive second place in the 500-yard freestyle, completing it in 4:38.71. Another standout among the Jacks was freshman Jack Nugent, who contributed to the Gauchos' success with a commendable bronze in the 200-yard backstroke, crossing the finish line in 1:51.61.
Bryden Thielenhaus and Rob Carpenter also delivered exceptional performances, with Thielenhaus achieving a second-place victory for the Gauchos in the 100-yard butterfly (50.08), and Carpenter taking home second place in the 100-yard freestyle (47.61). Carpenter also played a pivotal role in the 200-yard freestyle relay, alongside Matthew Driscoll, Zachary Tamusaitis, and Austin Sparrow, securing a second-place finish with a time of 1:23.31.
Next Weekend
After a long weekend up north, the Gauchos will travel back to Southern California to compete against familiar faces from Pepperdine and UC San Diego on Saturday Nov. 4. Be sure to check back for updates as meet day approaches.
