Spartanburg, S.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne men's and women's swim teams officially opened their season on Thursday night, facing off against Converse. This was the first meet under new head coach Vic Riggs. 

On the women's side, the Bears cruised to a 148-131 victory while the men fell 153.50-127.50.

Sophomore Emma Sheets led the charge for the Bears, notching four top-five finishes. She placed first in the 400 freestyle relay and 50 breast while also placing second in the 200 medley relay and 100 breast. Olivia DeRosier and Chloe Vestal combined for six top-five finishes while Addison Bartemeyer was a part of the 400 freestyle relay victory.

On the men's side, Levi McRea and Wyatt Herger each collected two first-place finishes and one second-place finish. Just a freshman, Herger had an impressive debut with the Bears, winning the 50 and 100 meter backstroke while leading off the second place 200 meter medley relay team.

Top-Five Finishers Men

Levi McRea

• 400 Freestyle Relay - 2nd, 48.33
• 500 Free - 1st, 4:48.16 
• 1000 Free - 1st, 9:54.63

Christopher Glebus

• 200 Freestyle - 2nd, 1:44.23
• 200 Medley Relay - 2nd, 44.95
• 50 Back - 2nd, 24.96

Brooks Higginbotham 

• 400 Freestyle Relay - 2nd, 50.21
• 500 Free - 3rd, 4:55.02
• 1000 Free - 3rd, 10:11.48

Wyatt Herger

• 50 Back - 1st, 24.81
• 200 Medley Relay - 2nd, 9.46
• 100 Back - 1st, 52.13

Cohen Singletary

• 100 Free - 1st, 48.16
• 50 Fly - 2nd, 24.42 
• 200 Medley Relay - 3rd, 23.35

Christopher Forsey

• 50 Breast - 2nd, 28.06
• 200 Medley Relay - 2nd, 16.37
• 100 Breast - 2nd, 1:00.71
• 200 Individual Medley - 2nd, 2:01.38

Renato Herran

• 50 Fly - 1st, 23.62
• 200 Medley Relay - 2nd, 26.00
• 100 Fly - 2nd, 52.67

Cooper Sledge

• 50 Free - 3rd, 22.68
• 200 Medley Relay - 3rd, 22.41
• 400 Freestyle Relay - 2nd, 49.88

Ben Swetckie

• 200 Medley Relay - 3rd, 25.70
• 100 Back - 4th, 54.95
• 100 Individual Medley - 2nd, 59.08

Top-Five Finishers Women

Addison Bartemeyer

• 200 Medley Relay - 3rd, 25.63
• 100 Free - 2nd, 54.29
• 400 Freestyle Relay - 1st, 54.06
• 200 Free - 2nd, 2:00.01

Devin Poteat

• 50 Free - 2nd, 25.70
• 200 Medley Relay - 2nd, 25.32
• 400 Freestyle Relay - 1st, 58.26
• 100 Individual Medley - 2nd, 1:04.02

Ella Penny 

• 400 Freestyle Relay - 1st, 55.18
• 200 Free - 3rd, 2:01.81
• 200 Medley Relay - 2nd, 29.06
• 100 Individual Medley - 1st, 1:03.30

Sky Jones 

• 100 Breast - 1st, 1:10.40 
• 50 Fly - 3rd, 28.27
• 200 Medey Relay - 2nd, 27.58

Olivia DeRosier

• 500 Free - 1st, 5:40.64
• 100 Fly - 2nd, 1:02.15
• 200 IM - 1st, 2:19.88

Chloe Vestal

• 400 Freestyle Relay - 4th, 58.57
• 50 Back - 1st, 28.72
• 200 Medley Relay - 3rd, 28.57
• 100 Back - 1st, 1:02.49

Emma Sheets

• 400 Freestyle Relay - 1st, 58.16
• 50 Breast - 1st, 32.97
• 200 Medley Relay - 2nd, 31.94
• 100 Breast - 2nd, 1:11.28

Blair Tucker

• 400 Freestyle Relay - 4th, 58.61
• 500 Free - 2nd, 5:41.23
• 100 Fly - 3rd, 1:02.34

Anna Buchert

• 100 Free - 4th, 1:00.34
• 200 Free - 4th, 2:09.37

Kara Bryant 

• 50 Back - 2nd, 30.17
• 100 Back - 2nd, 1:05.00
• 50 Fly - 4th, 29.03

The Bears will now turn their attention to the Wingate Bulldogs this Saturday for their first conference swim meet of the year. The meet is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. from Wingate.