ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Head Coach Tony Marleneanu and the Hendrix men's and women's swimming and diving team officially opened up the 2018 season Friday in Arkadelphia by taking on NCAA Division II foe Ouachita Baptist Tigers in non-conference action. The men's team ended up falling 134-79 but the women's team fell by two points, 108-106 in a brilliant showcase in its season opener. This meet also saw freshman Alexis Ozden setting the new school record in the 200-yard IM with a time of 2:11.60, good enough to land Hendrix nine points alone in the single event.

MEET INFORMATION
Event: Ozark Invitational
Date(s): Oct. 5
Host: Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, Ark. 

NOTABLE FINISHES
Women 1000 Yard Freestyle
- Zoe Ryland - 12:25.10 (2nd)

Men 200 Yard Freestyle
- Paxton Higgerson - 1:53.17 - nine points
Women 50 Yard Freestyle - McKenzie Tucker - 26.60 (1st)

Women 50 Yard Freestyle
- McKenzie Tucker - 26.60 (1st)
- Bree Lyerly - 27.18 (2nd)

Men 50 Yard Freestyle
- Derrick Pellitier - 23.46 (2nd)

Men 200 Yard IM
- Sam Melhorn - 2:05.79 (2nd)

Women 100 Yard Butterfly
- Trinity Dohoney - 1:03.59 (2nd)

Men 100 Yard Butterfly 
- Paxton Higgerson - 56.42 (1st)

Women 100 Yard Freestyle
- McKenzie Tucker - 58.79 (2nd)

Women 100 Yard Backstroke
- Sarah Linnerman - 1:05.91 (2nd)

Women 500 Yard Freestyle 
- Zoe Ryland - 5:59.65 (2nd)

Women 100 Yard Breaststroke
- Alexis Ozden - 1:08.20 (1st) - School Record

Men 100 Yard Breaststroke 
- Sam Melhorn - 1:00.11 (1st)

Women 200 Yard Freestyle Relay
- Angelique Longobardi, Carmen Meijer, Ploy Freebairn, Sam Doering - 1:41.66 (1st)

Women 1 Meter Diving
- Laura Jones - 145.70 (1st)

Men 1 Meter Diving 
- Jonny Jenkins - 150.65 (1st)

WHAT WAS SAID
"Many races were close and could have gone either way, however we got out touched," stated Coach Marleaneau. "We finished the meet with 3 wins out of the final 4 events. It was excited to see our Women 200 Free Relay win at the end. I was happy to see that we were able to finish the meet strong. Even though our men's team was outnumbered by the opponent, we were able to win 4 individual events.  On the Women's side, we lost by only 2 points against a successful Division 2 swim program. We have some things to work on for the next few weeks and we are confident that the next meet is going to go our way. Overall, it was a great performance for the Warriors.".

UP NEXT
Hendrix will enjoy a pair of weeks off before hitting the road to Shreveport, Louis. to take on Centenary Oct. 20.