Photo by Jake McNeill: Marshall diver Avery Schauman competes in the 1-meter dive during a prep swim and dive dual meet against Melrose at Southwest Minnesota State University’s Don Palm Natatorium on Tuesday. Marshall fell 113-65 to Melrose Area in its home opener on Tuesday night.

MARSHALL — The Marshall swim and dive team fell short in its first home meet of the season on Tuesday, losing 113-65 to Melrose Area at Southwest Minnesota State University’s Don Palm Natatorium.

The 500-yard freestyle was a strong event for the Tigers, with Finley Pelz and Alex Brown taking each of the top two spots. Pelz won the event in a time of 5:36.92 while Brown was the runner-up at 5:55.20.

Brown was also the individual runner-up in the 100-yard breaststroke, an event in which the Tigers swept the top three places. Aaliyah Podratz won the event at 1:17.60, followed by Brown at 1:20.93 and Lydia Hastad at 1:30.99.

Podratz, Leah Hybbert, Brown and Pelz made up Marshall’s 200-meter relay team, earning a runner-up finish at 1:52.99, trailing the Melrose Area’ team of Annika Frieler, Anika Berscheit, Maddi Kraeer and Lauren Reed at 1:48.26.

Pelz was a runner-up in the 200-yard freestyle at 2:06.97, trailing Gabrielle Finken’s 2:30.80 finish.

Podratz and Hybbert each also had third-place finishes. Podratz took the bronze in the 100-yard freestyle, clocking in at 1:01.24, while Hybbert finished third in the 200-yard individual medley at 2:35.64.

Marshall next competes at the true team section meet in Hutchinson over the weekend. Friday’s events will begin at 5 p.m. while Saturday’s are slated to start at 10 a.m.