University of Minnesota Athletics

NO. 10 MINNESOTA DROPS DUAL TO NORTH CAROLINA

11/4/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving

HillThe Golden Gopher men's swimming and diving team, ranked no. 10 in the country by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America, dropped a dual meet to the North Carolina Tarheels in Chapel Hill this weekend.

While Minnesota won 11 of the 20 events, the Tarheels had more depth, as Minnesota's Olympians will not be joining the team until January. Despite the negative outcome, Minnesota had very positive individual performances. Three Golden Gophers took top place in two events a piece. Diver Dan Croaston won both the 1- and 3-meter diving competitions, Todd Smolinksi won the 100 and 200 backstroke and Jeff Hackler won the 100 and 200 breaststroke. Other event winners were Brandon Crook in the 200 freestyle and Chad Krastins in the 100 butterfly. In addition, the Gophers won three of the five relays.

The future of Minnesota swimming was evident in the performances of the freshmen, particularly Justin Mortimer. Mortimer was the runner-up in both the 1000 and 500 freestyle and took third in the 200 IM. His time of 9:10.11 in the 1000 free was just half a second off the Minnesota record.

This marked the seventh time MInnesota and North Carolina have faced off in a dual meet. Minnesota leads the series 5-2. Minnesota's season record now stands at 2-1.

The Golden Gophers have two weeks off from competition before they host the Minnesota Invitational at the University Aquatic Center on November 17-19.

Full results from this weekends meet can be found under the calendar section.
Tuesday, March 03
Sunday, March 01
Friday, February 27
Friday, February 27