University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Lead Purdue And Wisconsin At Triple Duals
1/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
The No. 11 Minnesota men's swimming and diving team (5-0) won six events to open leads over Purdue and Wisconsin at the Big Ten Triple Duals at University Aquatic Center. Alex Wold, Ray Betuzzi, Colin Lee-To and Curt Carlson won individual events and Minnesota swept the relays this evening. Minnesota leads Purdue 108-78 and Wisconsin 120.5-65.5.
The Gophers opened the meet with a dominating win in the 200 freestyle relay. Lee-To, Michael Richards, Curt Carlson and Steve Miller turned in a time of 1:20.09 to easily bear Purdue's effort of 1:21.81. Wisconsin was third and Minnesota's B team took fourth in 1:23.44.
The evening's most exciting race took place in the 200 individual medley where Wold took on Wisconsin's Scott Rice in a race that ended in a rare tie. Rice chased down Wold in the free leg and both swimmers touched the wall in 1:50.63. Mark Solfelt also placed fourth in 1:52.50 and Josh Griffey wasa fifth in 1:54.12.
Betuzzi kept the Gophers' momentum in the right direction with a win in the 500 freestyle. He never trailed in the 20-lap race, touching the wall in 4:28.72. Purdue's Matt Stewart was second in 4:30.89 while Mike Holmes took fourth for Minnesota in 4:32.64.
Lee-To gave Minnesota four straight swimming wins, winning the 100 breaststroke in an NCAA B cut time of 54.53. Purdue's Aaron Koger was a distant second in 55.74 while Ivan Gutesa was third for Minnesota in 56.28.
The Badgers grabbed their first win in the 200 backstroke with Mike Hopkins finishing in 1:48.60. Karl Burdis managed a runner-up finish in 1:50.86.
The Gophers dominated the 100 free, taking three of the top four slots. Curt Carlson continued a dominating season in the event, winning in 44.41. Purdue's John Schmitt was second in 44.74 while Miller was third in 44.90 and Richards was fourth in 45.63.
Rice exacted a bit of payback in the 200 butterfly, beating Wold in a closely contested event. Rice touched first in 1:48.33, followed by Purdue's Andrew Langenfeld in 1:49.11 and Wold in 1:49.18. Kevin Baseheart was fourth for the Gophers in 1:49.51.
Minnesota completed a sweep of the relays as Burdis, Lee-To, Anthony Portela and Carlson combined to win the 400 medley relay in 3:17.20. Purdue was over two seconds back in 3:19.87.
Purdue's formidable diving team went 1-2-3 in both events this evening. Drew Brown tallied a strong 304.15 to place fourth on 1-meter springboard while Cole Young was just .10 points back in fifth place. David Boudia won with a score of 357.95. Brown was also fourth on the 3-meter with a score of 303.15 while Young was seventh at 284.10.
The Big Ten Triple Duals continue tomorrow at 12 p.m.
Players Mentioned
