Sophomore Ross Valdez swam to four first places, one resulting in a new school and pool record, to help the Berry men's swim team notch its first win of the season when the Vikings topped Southern Athletic Association opponent Sewanee on Saturday at the Cage Aquatic Center.
 
                The Vikings downed the Tigers 151-46, while Berry's women's team were edged by the Tigers 135-117 despite a record-tying performance by Paris Thornburg.
 
                Valdez put his name in the Berry record book when he won the 1,000 yard freestyle in 9:41.31. He then went on to touch the wall first in the 100 butterfly (53.63), the 200 fly (1:59.63) and joined teammates Breck Richards, Sam Tate, Ross Valdez and Noah Brand to win the 400 medley relay in 3:36.78.
 
                Tate also claimed firsts in the 100 breaststroke (59.87) and the 200 medley (1:58.23), while Richards won the 100 backstroke in 54.41.
 
                Also earning first place finishes includes Hunter Kenny (200 free, 1:48.92), Harrison McNeil (50 free, 22.39), Emilio Rico (200 breaststroke, 2:12.98),Bear Breeze (500 free, 5:01.53) and the 400 freestyle relay team of Billy Blood, Breeze, Collin Dillard and Kenny.
 
                Thornburg tied her own record in the 100 breaststroke, winning the event in 1:06.95, then took the win in the 200 breaststroke in 2:30.95. She then teamed up with Isabella Decker, Sarabeth Brown and Hannah Smith to win the 400 medley relay in 4:07.40.
 
                Smith added two more wins for the Vikings besting the field in the 100 free (55.22) and the 100 fly (1:00.07), Katie Groves win the 200 butterfly (2:21.33) and Grace Pleasant won the 200 medley with a time of 2:16.02.
 
                The Vikings are back in the pool next weekend in Columbus, Ga., for the Point University Invite.