University of Minnesota Athletics
McBroom, Gutesa Lead Gophers At Grand Prix
11/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
It was a great start for the University of Minnesota men's swimming and diving team tonight at the USA Swimming Minnesota Grand Prix at the University Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. Although the Golden Gophers didn't win an event, they had at least two swimmers finish in the top eight in three of five final events.
Junior Ivan Gutesa continued his strong form with a third-place finish in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 55.91. Finishing behind Gutesa were fellow Gophers Rob Schnitzler in seventh (57.66) and Josh Hall in eighth (57.71). Taking first in the event with a time of 53.61 was former NCAA champion and Northwestern alum Mike Alexandrov. In the consolation final, freshman Jared Anderson was 14th overall in 58.09.
Alexandrov, who is an Olympian for Bulgaria, also won the consolation final for the 200 individual medley in 1:49.20. Coming behind him in second to finish 10th overall was Gopher captain Alex Wold in 1:51.80. Also finishing in the top 16 was senior Mark Solfelt in 14th place (1:55.15).
In the 100 butterfly, junior Kevin Baseheart took fourth place in 49.35. Finishing behind the Gopher captain was junior Nadav Kochavi in sixth (50.10) and sophomore Karl Burdis in eighth (50.89).
It was a tight race in the 200 freestyle with two members of Team USA finishing in the top five. They were Michael Klueh, who finished second in 1:37.57, and Daniel Madwed, who finished third in 1:38.18. Not far behind in fourth place was Golden Gopher Curt Carlson, finishing in a strong 1:38.40. Winning the event was Will Copeland of California Aquatics in 1:36.16.
Freshman Michael McBroom continued to do well in the distance freestyle, finishing second in the 1000 free in 9:15.88. Fellow freshman Matt Benecki followed behind McBroom in eighth place (9:28.36). Senior Michael Daup was 11th in 9:35.64 and senior Nico Zebley was 13th in 9:43.61.
In the 800 free relay, Minnesota's A squad took second place in 6:43.07, while the Minnesota B squad took third. The A squad was comprised of Baseheart, Carlson, Matt Papenfuss and Wold, while the B squad had Solfelt, Zach Bolin, Jake Kittilstad and Sean Nesheim.
Minnesota will continue swimming at the USA Swimming Minnesota Grand Prix on Saturday. The meet will begin at 9 a.m. with prelims and 6 p.m. for finals at the University Aquatic Center in Minneapolis.
Players Mentioned
