Valparaiso began its weekend road trip on Friday evening dropping a 143.5-67.5 meet to Western Illinois in Macomb, Ill.

Becky Crabtree (Mason, Ohio/Mason H.S.) posted Valpo’s lone event victory of the evening, tying for the top honors in the 50 freestyle with a time of 25.41 seconds.

Shaunna Dangremond (Tucson, Ariz./Sabino H.S.) earned a runner-up finish in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:17.91, just a half second off of the pace.  The sophomore also finished third in the 100 backstroke, touching the wall in 1:04.13.

Kristy Shew (Terre Haute, Ind./North Vigo H.S.) also finished second for the Brown and Gold, turning in a season’s best effort of 5:26.39 in the 500 freestyle.

Amy Andracki (Arlington Heights, Ill./Prospect H.S.) had the day’s second fastest time in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:10.56.

Laura Rickey (Monmouth, Ill./Monmouth-Roseville H.S.), competing near her hometown, was third in the 100 free with a time of 57.05 seconds while Rachel Majercik (Schaumburg, Ill./Conant H.S.) earned the same place in the 100 butterfly with a mark of 1:01.03.  Jaclyn Krause (Rochester, Mich./Notre Dame Prep H.S.) also finished third for the Crusaders in the 200 free, turning in a time of 2:00.78, just 0.16 seconds out of second.

Valparaiso (1-8) will remain on the road on Saturday as the Crusaders head to Charleston, Ill. to compete against Eastern Illinois.  The first race begins at 2 p.m.