Senior David Hawk won two of Wilmington’s three events as the WC men’s swimming team fell to Ohio Athletic Conference powerhouse Ohio Northern, 136-69, Friday at the Wilmington College natatorium.

“We swam against Ohio Northern, which is a very good team,” said Wilmington head coach Trip Breen. “Obviously they came to race and I think our kids responded for the most part. It kind of gave me some insight on some of the things we need to start working on. We made some improvements from last week, but the improvements need to be accelerated as we move into our competition season.

“It definitely an advantage for us to start the season against Ohio Northern to see what we need to work on as the season moves on. I think training wise, things are progressing well. But, we need to take the next step.”

Hawk (Edison, OH/Mount Gilead) won the 50 freestyle (24.35) and then claimed the 100 freestyle (54.65). He teamed with freshman Andrew Stewart (Wilmington, OH/Clinton-Massie), junior Erik Spraul (Cincinnati, OH/Princeton and junior David Spraul (Cincinnati, OH/Princeton) to finish second in the 200 freestyle relay. The quartet was just 0.32 seconds from claiming the victory.

“His progression over the last four years has really been amazing and he the prime example of what consistent practice will do but also the out of season weight training that he takes upon his self to do,” said Breen. “It’s a culmination of doing all the right things and it’s an obvious payoff. Any swimmer on our team, athlete on our campus and any swimmer in the league, if they go back and look at David’s results, can use him as a role model.”

David Spraul claimed the other Wilmington win, cruising to a victory in the 100 backstroke. He won the event by almost three seconds. Erik Spraul added a second-place finish in the 100 butterfly (1:02.44).

Wilmington returns to the pool 1 p.m. Nov. 7 in a home tri-meet with Wittenberg and Transylvania.