University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Cruise by Iowa to Improve to 2-0
11/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
The University of Minnesota men’s swimming and diving team cruised to a solid 184-114 victory tonight over the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Golden Gophers won 12 of 16 events to improve their season dual record to 2-0. Sophomore Karl Burdis, junior Ivan Gutesa and senior Alex Wold all had two individual titles for Minnesota as the Gophers won their 14th straight dual meet dating back to the 2007-08 season.
Burdis swept the backstroke events for the second straight week, taking the 100 in 49.53 and the 200 in 1:51.30. The native of Dublin also helped the Gophers to a victory in the 200 medley relay (1:30.89) along with Gutesa, junior Kevin Baseheart and junior Michael Richards.
Following Burdis’ lead, Gutesa also swept the breaststroke events for the second week in a row. He took the 100 breast in 56.56 before winning the 200 breast in 2:02.56. Finishing second in the 200 breast behind Gutesa was junior Zach Weis (2:06.91).
Senior Alex Wold also took home two individual titles for Minnesota. The Gopher captain first took the 200 butterfly in 1:50.06, while his teammate Kevin Baseheart finished right behind Wold in second (1:50.33). Wold’s second victory came in the 200 individual medley in 1:53.32.
Minnesota finished 1-2-3-4 in the 500 freestyle with senior Ray Betuzzi taking first place in 4:34.68. Following behind Betuzzi were freshman Michael McBroom (4:37.51), senior Nico Zebley (4:44.05) and freshman Matt Benecki (4:46.84).
Also winning individual titles for Minnesota were McBroom in the 1000 free (9:26.16), junior Drew Brown in the 3-meter diving event (382), junior Curt Carlson in the 100 free (45.34) and junior Michael Richards in the 50 free (20.68).
Iowa showed some freestyle depth, going 1-2 in the 200 free as Carlson was the top Gopher finisher in third (1:40.77) and winning the 400 free relay in 2:59.59. Carlson, Baseheart, Richards and Wold combined to take second in 3:03.26.
“It’s been a long time since we haven’t won a 400 free relay. It was kind of difficult to not win the final event,” head coach Dennis Dale said. “Ivan [Gutesa], not only did he nice job a nice job in the breaststrokes, but he also swam well in the 200 IM. Karl’s [Burdis] swimming well again. He swam a very nice 100 back and a pretty decent 200 back. They were certainly the bright spots for the team and not only did they win, but they also swam very well during the process.”
The University of Minnesota men’s swimming and diving team next compete at the Minnesota Grand Prix Nov. 13-15 at the University Aquatic Center in Minneapolis.
Players Mentioned
