The Case Western Reserve University swimmers and divers are off to strong starts as both the men’s and women’s squads bested cross-town rival, John Carroll University in the first week of competition this year.

The women’s team posted a very strong 198-98 victory over the Blue Streaks in the first meet of the year. The Spartans were led by second-year student Ellie Wilson who touched the wall first in both the 50 yard and 100 yard breaststroke races. Wilson finished with times of 31.28 and 1:08.42 in the 50 and 100 races respectfully.

Newcomer and first-year student Suhan Mestha added three wins of her own as she won the 200 free with a time of 1:59.57 and the 100-yard backstroke making to the wall in 1:00.16. Mestha also won the 200 IM with a time of 2:14.86.

The Spartans swept the diving events with first-year student Emily Budziszewski posting a 1-meter dive score of 217.55 and second-year student Brooke Hortness posting a 3-meter dive of 217.45 points.

The Spartan women swam strong behind Mestha and Wilson as they came away with seven additional wins. Fourth-year student Rebecca Pakradooni won the 100 Fly with a time of 1:00.77, while Lauren Homack finished the 50 Free in a speedy time of 25.75 seconds. First-year student Kelsey Holmberg captured the 500 Fly while first-year student Renee Decker won both the individual 100 free and swam a leg of the victorious 200 freestyle relay.

The men’s side saw similar success beating the Blue Streaks 186-107. Fourth-year student Aaron Tam won the 100 butterfly with a time of 51.48 seconds beating out fellow Spartan and second-year student Aaron Pang by a whole 2.21 seconds.

Second-year students Drew Hamilton was a dual event winner posting first place finishes in both the 500 free and 200-yard individual medley with times of 4:49.48 and 1:59.89 respectfully.

The Spartans also took home both diving events as fourth-year student Connor Farrell won the 1-meter dives with a score of 267.40 and posted a 298.20 in the 3-meter dive.

Coming off the strong week the Spartans will be traveling to battle against arch-rival Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) as well as Clarion and Gannon Universities in a Tri meet hosted by CMU in Pittsburgh. The action kicks off on Saturday at 1 p.m.