New Records at Monmouth College

By Kelsey Beshears

Hard work paid off for Fighting Scots women this week as two school records were shattered in two different sports.

In swimming, the 400-yard medley relay time was broken on Saturday when Annie Higdon, Krysta Sparks, Rachel Holm and Erica McAloon cruised to a 4:18.16 time, bettering the old Monmouth College pool record by nearly two full seconds. Higdon, Holm and McAloon added Rachel Buckham in the 400 freestyle relay to pick up another first in 3:58.65.

“We didn't know what the pool record was going into the relay so breaking it was really exciting. It's great to know that we can still break records while being sore and tired from practices. I do believe we can break more records. I wouldn't expect anything less from our team,” said junior captain, Rachel Holm.
Another record was set when volleyball coach Kerri Shimmin became the winningist coach in Fighting Scots history. Shimmin guided the Scots to a 6-2 league record and the first conference title since back-to-back crowns in 1981 and ’82. The Scots, who had just two seniors on the roster and started two freshmen, reached the 20-win plateau for the first time since 2007.

“I was surprised to hear Coach Kurt tell us that we broke this record to be honest I wasn;t even sure what the record was before this. I feel proud of our relay team and I definitely think that after a taper we can break it again and that is the goal that I have set for this group,” said sophmore, Erica McAloon.

The women’s and men’s team each placed third at the invitational. Competing against; Loras College, Lake Forest College, Knox College, Illinois College, Eureka College, and Milikin University. With the women falling short of just forty points by second place; Loras College and short seventy-eight points to Lake Forest College. The mens team lost to Lake Forest College and Loras College also.

Another record was set when volleyball coach Kerri Shimmin became the most winning coach in Fighting Scots history. Shimmin guided the Scots to a 6-2 league record and the first conference title since back-to-back crowns in 1981 and ’82. The Scots, who had just two seniors on the roster and started two freshmen, reached the 20-win plateau for the first time since 2007.