University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Routs Wisconsin in Season Opener
10/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
The University of Minnesota men’s swimming and diving opened its 2009-10 season with a strong performance tonight against the University of Wisconsin, defeating the Badgers 198-101 in Madison, Wis. The Golden Gophers won all but one event, amassing 15 total wins.
Senior Alex Wold led the Gophers with three individual event victories. His first win came in the 200 freestyle, defeating a seven-person field with a time of 1:41.05. He followed that up with victories in the 500 free (4:36.35) and the 200 individual medley (1:53.53).
Minnesota swept the relay events, winning the 200 medley relay in 1:32.47 with sophomore Karl Burdis, junior Rob Schnitzler, junior Nadav Kochavi and junior Michael Richards. Richards also led off the 400 free relay that took first place in 3:03.23. Along with Richards were junior Curt Carlson, junior Kevin Baseheart and sophomore Matt Papenfuss 3:03.23.
Both Baseheart and Carlson won two individual events as well. Baseheart swept the butterfly events, taking first in the 200 fly (1:50.21) and 100 fly (49.82), while Carlson won the 50 free in 20.48 and the 100 free in 45.51.
Junior Ivan Gutesa also took home two individual titles, sweeping the breaststroke events. His first victory came in the 100 breast in 57.32 and his second victory came later in the night in the 200 breast with a time of 2:03.89. Minnesota went 1-2-3-4 in the 200 with Josh Hall (2:08.99), Zach Weis (2:09.54) and Richard Hills (2:09.66) all touching the wall before a Badger.
Also winning individual event titles were freshman Michael McBroom in the 1000 free (9:30.82), sophomore Karl Burdis in the 100 backstroke (50.75), senior Mark Solfelt in the 200 back (1:54.09) and junior Drew Brown in the 3-meter diving event (372.90).
Wisconsin won the 1-meter diving event with freshman Michael Ross (326.93). Brown was Minnesota's best finisher in third with a tally of 310.58.
“I thought there was some good swimming, especially since this was the first meet of year,” head coach Dennis Dale said. “We had some good swims, but clearly we need to find some depth and consistency for next week against Iowa. I thought Alex [Wold] was a solid performer tonight but he can be better against Iowa."
This season marks the 25th year at the helm of Minnesota swimming and diving for head coach Dennis Dale. During his tenure the Gopher head coach has led the Gophers to five Big Ten titles in the last nine years and seven in the last 13.
Minnesota travels to Iowa City, Iowa next Friday to face Iowa at 5 p.m.
Players Mentioned
