Indiana University Athletics
IU Within Striking Distance, Moves Eight To Finals
2/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Live Results
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The No. 13 Indiana men's swimming and diving squad grabbed eight spots in this evening's finals session at 7 p.m., in an emotional and heated preliminary session at the 2005 Big Ten Men's Swimming and Diving Championships at the University Aquatic Center in Minneapolis, Minn., on Feb. 26. The thrilling run of swims began with Minnesota building a lead in the first two events (200 back, 100 free), before IU battled back in the 200 breast and 200 fly to keep the Hoosiers within striking distance of claiming its first conference title in 20 years. Remarkably, sophomore Colin Russell broke Don Gold's 2001 record in the 100-yard freestyle.
In the opening event of the morning, the Hoosiers clocked a trio of top 10 times in IU history and advanced junior Mike Jones to the consolation heat with the fourth-fastest time in school history with a 1:46.61. Also of note, freshman Todd Patrick placed 17th place with a 1:47.95, while freshman Ben Hesen finished in 19th place with a 1:48.32. Patrick's time now stands as the sixth-best, while Hesen's effort earned ninth best in IU history.
Minnesota pushed freshman David Plummer and junior Adam Mitchell to the championship heat, while also qualifying freshman Russ Payne and senior Scott Young to the consolation heat.
In the 100-yard freestyle, Russell broke Don Gold's 2001 school record with a third-place qualifying time of 43.59. The key outcome, however, may have been an eighth-place tie between sophomore Lee Houchin and Minnesota sophomore Alex Volcansek at 44.29. The swim-off will be contested at the end of preliminaries with a large point swing at play. Additionally, Houchin's time was the seventh-best in school history. Meanwhile, the Golden Gophers qualified three up and one down with the swim-off determining a point swing.
In the 200-yard breaststroke, junior Kevin Swander rolled to the top-qualifying spot with a 1:57.61 as the lone IU member moving on to the finals session. Meanwhile, Minnesota moved three swimmers into the consolation heat. Notably, freshman Alec Haley (2:02.48), junior Hank Baldwin (2:02.49) and freshman Ronnie Hehn (2:02.59) notched personal bests.
In the 200-yard butterfly, senior Murph Halasz claimed the top spot with a 1:46.29, while sophomore Scott Tanner notched a personal-best time with a 1:48.32 that also stands as the sixth-best clocking in school history. Meanwhile, senior Richard Bryant placed seventh with a career-low time of 1:48.66, the eighth-fastest time in IU annals. Overall, IU qualified three up and one down. Additionally, Minnesota moved one up and two down in the event.
In the 100-yard freestyle swim-off, Volcansek out-touched Houchin by .03 with a 44.15 against Houchin's 44.18 to move into the championship heat.
Next up, the Cream and Crimson continue the 2005 Big Ten Championships at 1:15 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 26 at the University Aquatic Center in Minneapolis, Minn., with preliminary performances in the platform followed by the 1,650-yard freestyle events at 5 p.m.
