Game Recap: Rhodes at Slug Shootout

Rhodes College men's swimming finished second at the 2026 Slug Shootout, held October 16-17 at UC Santa Cruz. The Lynx delivered several strong performances throughout the two-day meet, highlighted by multiple event victories and top finishes across individual and relay events.

Key Performances

Liam Ashton captured first place in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 1:49.61. Josh Denckhoff won the 200-yard backstroke in 1:52.27 and finished second in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 50.73. George Albert added a second-place finish in the 200-yard backstroke, touching the wall in 1:57.65. Clinton Eales placed third in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 56.38, while Francesco Assalone finished fourth in 57.33. Austin Shadinger led Rhodes in the distance events, placing fourth in the 1,650-yard freestyle in 17:06.94.

Game Highlights

Rhodes opened the meet with a first-place finish in the 400-yard medley relay, as Denckhoff, Eales, Ashton and Will Wertenberger combined for a time of 3:18.09. The Lynx also won the 200-yard medley relay in 1:30.75, with the team of Denckhoff, Eales, Ashton and Wertenberger. Justin McNary finished sixth in the 50-yard freestyle in 20.94, while Wertenberger placed fourth in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:41.42. Rhodes capped the meet with a second-place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay, clocking 3:02.45.

Up Next: Rhodes vs Sewanee 

Rhodes will continue its swimming and diving season at its next scheduled meet against Sewanee on November 14 in Nashville, TN.