University of Minnesota Athletics
Men's Swimming and Diving Heads to 2004 NCAA Championships This Weekend
3/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
- Click Here for 2004 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Notes
Minnesota will head to the 2004 Men's Swimming and Diving Championships in Long Island, N.Y. The Golden Gophers start competition at the Nassau County Aquatics Center, Thursday, Mar. 25-27. The Gophers have qualified 12 swimmers and will have one alternate attending the the national championships.
Swimmer Individual Events Travis Beckerle 400 and 1500 free Igor Cerensek 50, 100 and 200 free Mario Delac 50, 100 and 200 free Sean Kelly no individual events/200 medley relay Sean McCaffrey 200 free Adam Mitchell 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 back Neil Osten 50 and 100 free, 100 fly Ryan Plummer 200 and 400 IM Terry Silkaitis 50, 100 and 200 free Diego Urreta 200 and 400 IM, 200 back Ales Volcansek 50 free Zach Wood 400 and 1500 free Alejandro Jacobo alternate in the 200 breast
GOPHERS IN THE RANKINGS
The Gophers enter the 2004 Big Ten Championships with a seventh-place ranking in the recent CSCAA poll. The Maroon and Gold are the highest-ranked Big Ten team in the Feb. 26 poll. Michigan holds the 10th spot, while Wisconsin is 11th. Northwestern follows in 18th, Indiana is 23rd, while Purdue is receiving votes.
IN THE PSYCHE SHEETS
The University of Minnesota not only ranks high in the polls, but also in the official psyche sheets. The Golden Gophers have a five events where Minnesota is ranked in the top 10 and eight in the top 20. Minnesota's highest seed is Terry Silkaitis in the 200-meter freestyle. Silkaitis ranks No. 2 with a seed time of 1:34.42. The Gophers' 400 free relay team ranks third with time of 2:51.65, while Minnesota's 800 free relay is ranked fourth with a time of 6:23.94. The Gophers' 200 free relay holds a sixth-place showing with a seed time of 1:18.28. Rounding out the top 10 is Adam Mitchell. In his first trek to the NCAA Championships, Mitchell enters with a 10th-place ranking in the 200 individual medley.
THE GOPHERS BY CLASS
The University of Minnesota has a talented, but young group heading to the NCAA Championships. The Gophers have four freshmen competing in Igor Cerensek, Mario Delac, Ales Volcansek and Zach Wood. Travis Beckerle, Sean Kelly and Adam Mitchell represent the sophomore class. Sean McCaffrey, Neil Osten and Terry Silkaitis are juniors and Diego Urreta and Ryan Plummer represent the seniors.
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
Igor Cerensek, Mario Delac, Sean Kelly, Adam Mitchell, Ales Volcansek and Zach Wood will all compete in their first NCAA Championships this season. Travis Beckerle, Sean McCaffrey and Neil Osten are now in their second trip to the national championship. Ryan Plummer, Terry Silkaitis and Diego Urreta are the seasoned veterans on the team making their third appearance to the NCAAs.
LAST YEAR AT THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Minnesota finished the season with a seventh-place finish at the 2003 championships, hosted by Texas. The Gophers' performance included 12 different swimmers earning All-America honors a total of 31 times. Lead the way was Big Ten Swimmer of the Year, Terry Silkaitis. Silkaitis' lowest finish in seven events was 10th in the 100-yard freestyle. Silkaitis earned All-America honors in the 200 free relay (9th), 400 medley relay (5th), 200 medley relay (4th), 200 free (8th), 800 free relay (7th) and 100 free. Ryan Plummer finished 10th in the 400 IM. Sean McCaffrey added an All-American nod as a member of the 800 free relay (7th), while Neil Osten placed ninth with the 200 free relay.
Players Mentioned
