Freshman Michael Lanz led the St. Thomas men’s swimming and diving team with two first-place finishes in the 100 and 200 freestyle at the Hamline Invitational Saturday, while Averi Splinter secured first place for the women in the 100 fly and 200 medley relay.

Both the men’s and women’s teams placed first overall and together won eight individual events. Diver Nick Johnson won both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving competitions.

Last year, the Tommie men finished with the team’s second MIAC championship in three years, and the women placed third in the conference meet.

Swimmer David Bailly said the team’s preparation will be paramount to its success.

“Our team is logging long hours in the pool and weight room early in the season in preparation for the conference meet,” Bailly said.

Bailly said new faces will be a factor for St. Thomas on both teams.

“We have a strong freshman class that will be able to score well at the end of the season,” Bailly said.

On the women’s side, swimmer Hayley Trace said there are two teams standing in the Tommies’ pursuit of the MIAC title.

“Our biggest competition will be Gustavus and St. Olaf,” Trace said. “This year we have mandated a new lifting program, which will help increase our strength to help improve our times and make us even more competitive than years past.”

Trace said the additions to the team will benefit everyone.

“The new members of our team will greatly improve the depth of our team, allowing us to score in more events,” Trace said.

Coach Tom Hodgson, two-time MIAC Women’s Coach of the Year, four-time MIAC Men’s Coach of the Year and former University of Minnesota swimmer, is beginning his 34th year as head coach. During his tenure with the Tommies, Hodgson has produced over 45 Division III All-Americans and 100 MIAC champions.

Hodgson said Lanz might be one of the Tommies’ keys to success.

“Fortunately, we have four very solid freshmen to help that process, including Mike Lanz who has the second fastest 200-fly time in the country,” Hodgson said.

Hodgson said the team’s strength is an improvement, but the conference competition is much deeper.

“We are a little stronger than last year, but St. Olaf is considerably stronger than they were last year,” Hodgson said.

Hodgson does not think the women’s team is at their full potential for now, but are making considerable progress toward becoming a strong group.

“We’re going to be a much better team than we were last year,” Hodgson said. “Gustavus and St. Olaf both finished about 130 some points ahead of us in the standings. I don’t know if our team can make up that gap but our goal is to close.”

Up next for the Tommie men is a meet against Carleton at 6 p.m., Friday, at home. The women will hit the water Nov. 16 in the St. Thomas Andregg Women’s Invitational.

Andrew Eisele can be reached at eise6299@stthomas.edu.