The red hot men’s and women’s swim squads saw one streak continue and one get sunk against the St. Louis Billikens last Saturday at Lantz Natatorium.

Saturday’s outcome mirrored the previous meeting between the two schools in November as the men (8-2, winners of seven straight) were victorious 125-114 while the women (5-6) suffered a 146-97 defeat against the Billikens.

Junior freestyler Tom Watson got the men headed in the right direction with a win in the 1000-free. Watson’s time of 9:59.88 was the only swim under the ten minute mark and enabled the Bloomington native to edge the Billikens’ Chris Johansen for the top spot. Watson picked up his second win on the afternoon when he was victorious in the 500-free five events later. The two wins gave Watson a total of 19 on the season.

Rich Wahlgren capped off his stellar senior year with a pair of wins in the 100 and 200-free. Competing in lane four each race, Wahlgren took the 200-free in a time of 1:46.71 and then really picked up the speed in the 100-free as he defeated former high school teammate Bill Senese 47.48 to 47.59.

“Rich Wahlgren really swam well Saturday,” Panthers head coach Ray Padovan said. “His time in the 100-free was a season-best.”

Although Senese suffered a painfully close defeat in the 100-free, he made up for it with a win in the 50-free. The Stagg graduate picked up his 17th individual win of the season with a time of 22.17 in the sprint event.

Senese ranked third on the team in individual wins and accomplished the feats just months out of high school. While Padovan did make note of his talented swimmer’s heroics he wouldn’t proclaim Senese’s season as the best he’s witnessed by a freshman.

“No, I wouldn’t say that because we’ve had some other strong ones,” Padovan said. His year was a little surprising because we thought he’d swim more in the backstroke than in the freestyle events and he’s (adjusted) very well. It’s been very nice to have his versatility all year.”

Other impressive performances on the afternoon included junior Frank Muchna in the 200-free and Patrick Griffin in the 500-free. Muchna posted a time of 1:48.02 to finish in second-place and Griffin finished the lengthy 500-free in 4:54.41 to take the runners up spot.

“We had a few guys who had breakout performances that didn’t necessarily result in first-place swims,” Padovan said. “Frank Muchna (200-free) had a good, decent swim and Griffin (500-free) swam really well. These are two key swims that helped us beat Saint Louis.”

The women saw their four meet win streak, which spanned over two months, end at the hands of the Billikens with a 146-97 loss.

In her final home meet, Jordan Sherbrooke kept the Panthers competitive with a win in the 1000-free. The Avon, Ind., native defeated three Billikens (Meredith Grass, Cathy Misterka and Kayla Schleicher) to win her 18th individual event of the year.

“Jordan has swam well all season long,”Padovan said. “This event she was just a little stronger than the competition.”

Eastern also received an impressive victory from sophomore Jenny Curry in the 100-free. Curry also had a solid swim in the 200-free with a second-place finish.

“We’ve been waiting for it all season, but Jenny Curry finally had some (fast) times,” Padovan said. “It was shades of freshman year for her.”

Several Panthers including Lindsae Blades (one and three-meter dives) Brittany Wininger (200-individual medley) and Kim Fischer (200-breast) has second-place finishes.

“We swam well but Saint Louis was a little better,” Padovan said.

Both the men and women will now focus on the season-ending Midwest Classics which begin on Feb. 19. Padovan believes both team’s should fair quite well in two weeks.

“I think the men have a good shot,” Padovan said. “I’m never gonna say we’re gonna win, but we are strong.”

As for the women?

We’re not as strong as last year (when they one the Midwest Classic Championship) but the team is coming along.”