University of Minnesota Athletics
SMOLINSKI MAKES WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES TEAM
4/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
Minnesota sophomore Todd Smolinski qualified to represent the United States in the World University Games to be held August 22-September 1 in Beijing, China. Smolinski, a native of St. John, Ind., qualified for the team by placing fifth in the 100 meter backstroke at US Senior Nationals in Austin, Texas.
The Minnesota team placed fourth overall with 185 points. Several swimmers put in top performances, less than a week after competing at the NCAA Championships.
Minnesota's only other "A" finalist was sophomore Jeff Hackler who took seventh in the 200m breast. The Golden Gophers did have several "B" and "C" finalists, however. Junior Brandon Crook made "B" finals in two events. He finished 13th in the 200m free and 16th in the 400m free. Junior Ben Bartell also made B finals in two events. He took 12th in the 100m back and 15th in the 200 baack. Freshman Ryan Plummer showed evidence of good things to come in the individual medley events for Minnesota, placing 10th in the 400 IM and 12th in the 200 IM. Hackler also made "B" finals in the 100m breast and finished 11th. Junior Chris Forrest took 12th in the 200m breast. Smolinski took 22nd in the "C" finals of the 200m back. Ryan L'Roy finished 19th in the timed finals of the 800m free.
Minnesota's relays also fared well at the event. The 400 medley relay (Smolinski, Hackler, Chad Krastins and Crook) took second place with a time of 3:46.87. The "B" team (Bartell, Forrest, Plummer and Matt Taylor) placed sixth. Both the 400 (Crook, Taylor, Bartell, Smolinski) and 800 (Justin Mortimer, Crook, Taylor and L'Roy) placed third.
The Minnesota team placed fourth overall with 185 points. Several swimmers put in top performances, less than a week after competing at the NCAA Championships.
Minnesota's only other "A" finalist was sophomore Jeff Hackler who took seventh in the 200m breast. The Golden Gophers did have several "B" and "C" finalists, however. Junior Brandon Crook made "B" finals in two events. He finished 13th in the 200m free and 16th in the 400m free. Junior Ben Bartell also made B finals in two events. He took 12th in the 100m back and 15th in the 200 baack. Freshman Ryan Plummer showed evidence of good things to come in the individual medley events for Minnesota, placing 10th in the 400 IM and 12th in the 200 IM. Hackler also made "B" finals in the 100m breast and finished 11th. Junior Chris Forrest took 12th in the 200m breast. Smolinski took 22nd in the "C" finals of the 200m back. Ryan L'Roy finished 19th in the timed finals of the 800m free.
Minnesota's relays also fared well at the event. The 400 medley relay (Smolinski, Hackler, Chad Krastins and Crook) took second place with a time of 3:46.87. The "B" team (Bartell, Forrest, Plummer and Matt Taylor) placed sixth. Both the 400 (Crook, Taylor, Bartell, Smolinski) and 800 (Justin Mortimer, Crook, Taylor and L'Roy) placed third.
Players Mentioned
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