University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Make Final Preparations For Big Ten Championships
2/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
Wednesday
10:13 p.m.
The Gophers went through their final preparations for the Big Ten Championships today in Ann Arbor. After a light morning and afternoon practice, the Gophers gathered at the Cottage Inn in downtown Ann Arbor for a team meal consisting of lasagna, chicken, salad, vegetables and other items. Following the meal, the team hopped in the six vans they have used to get around town and drove the three or so miles back to the hotel where the majority of the team shaved and rested for tomorrow's competition.
While the Gopher swimmers and divers made their final preparations for the meet, the very dedicated parents made their final preparations as well. They were seen practicing cheers and many classic Golden Gopher songs including a constant rendition of the the Minnesota Rouser. The parents made gift bags full of food and snacks and delivered them door-to-door to the entire travel party.
Many of the swimmers will take the vans over to Canham Natatorium, at 8 a.m. for a light swim while others will enjoy some extra rest in the hotel prior to the preliminaries at noon. Tomorrow's first prelim session will begin for Minnesota in the seventh of 12 heats of the 500 freestyle when Adam Weis and Michael Daup take the blocks. The 12 heats may seem like a large number to many swimming fans....and that's because it is. Due to some slight current and gutter issues with Michigan's Canham Natatorium, the conference coaches elected to the swim the championships in just six lanes as opposed to the traditional eight. The meet will be scored differently as well. There will be three scored final heats in the evening. The winner will get 26 points in individual events (is 20 traditionally) and will be scored down to the 18th place finisher, who will receive one point (traditionally score to the 16th place finisher). The relays will be affected the same way with 52 points awarded to the winner. It is difficult to tell how this change will affect the overall outcome of the meet. Regardless, Minnesota will be taking the blocks in pursuit of its six Big Ten title in the last eight years.
It has been a long day of travel getting to Ann Arbor for this athletic communications staffer. After arriving in Detroit, my pick-up was delayed after he inadvertently went 20 miles in the wrong direction on I-94 on the supposed way to the airport. However, we arrived just in time for the team dinner. We will be back tomorrow with updates as the 500 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle and 1-meter diving take place.
Players Mentioned
