The Panthers had a very successful meet on Saturday against the Big Blue of Millikin. The Big Blue seemed overwhelmed at times as Eastern had many more swimmers and much more support in the stands.

The meet was somewhat informal. Some events did not have a full field of six swimmers. Other races were not counted for points because they had only Eastern swimmers participating.

The Panthers won 19 of the 24 events and looked strong after their long break from competition.

“(The meet) was about what I expected,” said head coach Ray Padovan. “We had some respectable times but it was more about shaking off the long lay-off from break and training.”

Junior Marlise Davidson did not look rusty at all, winning three races.

“I think I swam pretty well in some events, but I wasn’t happy with my times in others,” Davidson said.

Davidson seems to be her harshest critic, as she couldn’t have performed much better. She took first place in the 50 free, 500 free and the 400-medley relay. Her time of 5:30.74 in the 500 free was 16 seconds faster than second place and the 4:09.06 of the 400 relay team was 24 seconds faster than second place.

“Marlise is just tough all-around,” said Padovan. “She plays rugby and is just getting into the swing of things in the pool.”

Padovan also had good things to say about junior Chris Pontecore and freshman Kevin Boyle.

“Chris is a transfer and hadn’t swam the 200-medley for me,” Padovan said. “I’m getting to know him and he has really impressed me.”

Pontecore took the 200 with a time of 2:02.97, which was 25 seconds, or about an entire length of the pool, ahead of second place. Boyle also dominated, with sizable wins in the 500 free and 50 free.

“Kevin had some good swims, particularly in the 500,” said Padovan.

Millikin’s best performer was senior Paul Yemm. He took first twice, individually in the 1000 free and as the anchor of the 400 free relay. He also placed second in the 500 free behind Boyle.

For a team that has not had a true competition since early December, the Panthers looked strong and ready to go into the stretch run before the conference tournament.

The Panthers’ next meet is against Valparaiso this Saturday, January 21 in Valparaiso, Ind.

Eastern and Valparaiso were both at the House of Champions Invitational at IUPUI last month. It will be Eastern’s first conference meet since joining the Mid-Continent Conference.