The Valparaiso University men's swim team dropped a 144-105 decision to Hope on Thursday evening at the Athletics-Recreation Center pool.

Mike Hermes (Hudson, Ill./U-High) was a triple winner for the Crusaders, recording Valpo's only three victories in the meet. He began by winning the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:02.54, more than a second over second place. The junior then took home top honors in the 200 breast with a mark of 2:16.10, nearly four seconds in front of his closest competitor. Hermes closed out his evening with a win in the 400 individual medley with a time of 4:27.19, winning by more than six seconds.

Valpo had several second place finishes on the evening as well. Neal Badgett (Houston, Texas/Strake Jesuit Prep) was runner-up in the 1650 with a time of 17:52.80, while also gaining second points in the 500 free (5:07.08). Sean Conrin (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Buffalo Grove H.S.) touched the wall in 56.71 seconds in the 100 backstroke, less than a half second behind the winner. Conrin also finished second in the 100 butterfly (56.38).

Bob Pedersen (Urbana, Ill./Urbana H.S.) finished in second place in the 200 butterfly with a mark of 2:07.46, while Bob Schmidt (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville H.S.) was the runner-up in the 100 free with a time of 49.60 seconds.

The Crusaders will continue their homestand next Friday, January 17 evening when the Brown and Gold hosts IUPUI. The first race begins at 5 p.m.