The Eastern men’s and women’s swim teams ended their regular season on down notes by losing to Saint Louis last Saturday at the Lantz Natatorium.

The men’s team (6-3-1) could not continue its hot streak and win a fourth consecutive meet, as the Panthers lost a close race to the Billikens 125-112. Eastern did not have any male divers and started the match down 32 points because of points lost during the diving portion of the meet.

Even though the men lost the regular-season finale, assistant head coach Bill Yanney was pleased with the Panthers performance and determination to try overcome the 32-points lost in the diving events.

“We swam well,” Yanney said. “The final was 13 points and, without having divers, we gave up 32 points so it was very competitive.”

The Panthers outswam the Billikens for much of the meet. Rich Wahlgren and Josh Kercheval had strong performances helping the Panthers cut 19 points off the 32-point deficit.

“Rich Wahlgren won the 50-freestyle in 21.54 and he also finished first in the 100-freestyle,” Yanney said.

Wahlgren’s time of 21.54 was his fastest in the 50-freestyle all season. His previous best was 21.73 set Jan. 25, against Valparaiso.

Kercheval, a senior from Sullivan, Ill., had another impressive meet, winning the 1000-freestyle and 200-freestyle. With the two victories against St. Louis, Kercheval has won 21 different races this year.

“Rich and Josh swam great; they were our only two-time winners on the day,” Yanney said.

It was a very emotional day for the seniors. Not only was head coach Ray Padovan back from a brief illness, but it was also Senior Recognition Day.

“There was a lot of emotion for our seniors today on Senior Recognition Day and with Coach Padovan returning,” Yanney said. “They swam hard and battled back.”

The Panther women also saw their three meet winning streak come to a halt. The Billikens defeated the Panthers 140-107. The Eastern women finished the regular season 7-3.

“The women had good swims but had trouble finishing the races,” Yanney said. “Saint Louis had better swims then we did.”

Allison Kenny was the lone two-time winner for the Panthers. The senior from Elmhurst, Ill. won both the 50-freestyle and 100-freestyle.

Jenny Curry and Claire Garvey, Eastern’s talented freshmen duo, struggled for the first time in recent weeks. Curry placed second in both the 50-freestyle and 100-freestyle. Garvey, however, finished a disappointing fifth in the 200-freestyle.

“Claire will definitely benefit from a few weeks off before the Midwest Classic Championships,” Yanney said.

The Midwest Classic Championships, as Yanney was alluding to, will begin Feb. 20 and run through Feb. 22 in Indianapolis.

In two weeks at the Championships, Yanney is expecting a much stronger showing from the Panthers.

“We’re going to have to swim more aggressive,” Yanney said. “There will be tough competition (in Indianapolis).”

The men will be counting on its senior leaders Kercheval and Nic Cheviron to put them over the top. Eastern Michigan is bringing a very deep team, and the Panthers will need Kercheval and Cheviron to be at their best.

On the women’s side, look for junior Jordan Sherbrooke to have a breakthrough meet.

“Jordan will step up,” Yanney said. “We don’t know what she’ll be racing, but she will pick up points wherever we put her.”

The Panthers will head into the Midwest Classic Championship without any significant injuries.

“We’re very healthy, and everyone has been swimming since last Wednesday,” Yanney said. “Our goal is to have light practices and stay healthy.”