The Valparaiso University men's swim team concluded the Mid-Continent Conference Championships on Saturday evening with a fourth place finish in Rochester, Mich.

Oakland won its fourth straight title with 933 points, followed by Western Illinois (751 pts.), IUPUI (657 pts.), and the Crusaders (372 pts.).

Neal Badgett (Houston, Texas/Strake Jesuit Prep H.S.) earned the Brown and Gold a seventh place finish in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:59.30. Sean Conrin (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Buffalo Grove H.S.) then turned in the third fastest 100 butterfly time in Valpo history with his fourth place finish in a time of 53.59 seconds.

Mike Hermes (Hudson, Ill./U-High) finished third in the 200 breaststroke, touching the wall in 2:09.93, while teammate Jeff Ewers (Huntertown, Ind./Carroll H.S.) finished sixth in the same event with a time of 2:17.58. Freshman Bob Schmidt (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville H.S.) earned a seventh place finish in the 100 free with the fifth fastest time in Valpo history, 48.21 seconds. Hermes wrapped up the individual events with an eighth place finish in the 200 individual medley (2:04.66).

The Crusaders concluded the meet with a third place finish in the 400 free relay as the team of Conrin, Schmidt, David Kesler (Beverly Hills, Mich./Birmingham Groves H.S.), and Edward Chester (Mishawaka, Ind./Mishawaka H.S.) turned in a time of 3:12.60.

Valpo will take the holidays off before returning to the pool on January 9 when the Brown and Gold host Hope beginning at 5 p.m. in the Athletics-Recreation Center.