University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Swimmers Assure NCAA Berths At Gopher-It
3/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
In a last chance to establish NCAA Championships time standards, the Minnesota men's swimming and diving team posted several solid swims at the Gopher-It Invitational. The 200 medley relay team posted an NCAA automatic qualifying time while the 400 freestyle relay team all but assured a trip to the NCAA meet. Today's swims will lock up invites for all five of Minnesota's relay teams.
The 200 medley relay team of David Plummer, Colin Lee-To, Anthony Portela and Michael Richards touched the wall in 1:26.37, almost a full second faster than their time of 1:27.32 posted at the Big Ten Championships last week. The automatic berth assures Portela his first trip to the NCAA meet while his other three teammates were already qualified individually or on other relays.
The 400 free relay team of Tyler Schmidt, Steve Miller, Mike Woodson and Curt Carlson clocked a time of 2:54.73, easily an NCAA provisional time and just .52 seconds from an automatic mark. Although not an automatic time, it ranks ninth nationally and should easily be invited. The berth will give Miller his first NCAA invitation while his other teammates were already qualified.
Other Gophers tested the waters as well this afternoon, highlighted by career-best swims from Kevin Baseheart in the 100 fly (49.10), Mark Solfelt in the 200 free (1:38.72), Russ Payne in the 100 back (49.11), Nico Zebley in the 1650 free (15:30.75) and Jon Roberts in the 50 free (20.34).
The NCAA Championships field will be announced this week and Minnesota figures to have at least 13 athletes in the field. Minnesota's divers will have a chance to qualify March 14-16 at the NCAA Zone meet in Columbus, Ohio.
The NCAA Championships will be held March 27-29 in Federal Way, Wash. Minnesota finished 10th as a team in 2007.
Players Mentioned
