In the 19-team Miami (Ohio) Invitational, the MSU women’s swimming and diving team took first place and the men’s team took second.

It was a team effort for the woman’s squad. Senior Ildiko Szekely, junior Katie Duncombe, senior Ashby Baldock, freshman Jen Windstein and junior Deb O’Neil all helped the Spartans in their respective races.

Szekely finished first in the 200-yard butterfly. Duncombe came in second in the 200-yard backstroke with Baldock finishing fourth. Windstein and O’Neil finished third and fourth respectively in the 1650-yard freestyle.

On the men’s side, junior Joe Baicy took second in the 200-yard breaststroke. Senior Scott Shafer also helped the Spartans with his fourth place finish in the 100-yard freestyle.

“We wanted to go and have a chance to race,” head coach Jim Lutz said. “Hopefully we can learn and grow from this experience.”

Not only did the teams shine with the results, but many other coaches complimented the team, Lutz said.

“A lot of coaches of other teams came up to me and congratulated me on how well our team meshes with each other,” he said.

The teams’ next meet is Jan. 2-3 at the Rainbow Invitational In Honolulu.