University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Begins Season With Alumni Meet
10/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
With a mix of new and familiar faces, the University of Minnesota men’s swimming and diving team began their 2009-10 season with the annual Alumni Meet at the University Aquatic Center this evening. Karl Burdis, Drew Brown, Sean Nesheim, Ivan Gutesa, Michael Richards, Goran Majlat and Mark Solfelt all posted individual victories.
Sophomore Karl Burdis led the Golden Gophers in the 100 freestyle with a time of 45.24 and finished second in the 50 butterfly in 22.54.
In the 100 individual medley, senior Mark Solfelt timed a 53.22 to cruise to an easy win over an 11-swimmer field. Junior Nadav Kochavi was second in 55.21. Freshman Sean Nesheim took the 100 backstroke in 55.13 and junior Michael Richards took first in the 50 free with a time of 20.56, edging out Limestone College transfer Goran Majlat by .08 seconds.
Majlat won his own event, however, taking first in 50 back with a time of 28.70. Junior Ivan Gutesa took the 100 breaststroke in 57.63 while junior Drew Brown led the Gophers in 1-meter diving with a score of 338.60. Senior Tyler Jepsen made the 1-meter event very competitive, turning in a score of 316.30 to place second.
Dan Berve, a 2008 grad and All-American, took the 50 butterfly in 21.89 while another 2008 grad, Jason Timmer, won the 50 breaststroke in 26.65. Colin Lee-To, a 2009 graduate and multiple All-American, claimed first in the 25 free in 9.24. Mike Natali (2007 grad) won the 100 butterfly in 50.79.
The Gophers continue competition on Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. with the Intrasquad Meet. Minnesota opens the regular season at Wisconsin Oct. 30 in Madison, Wis.
Players Mentioned
