University of Minnesota Athletics
Three Advance To Evening Finals At NCAAs
3/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
Minnesota advanced three to the consolation finals on the second day of competition at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in College Station, Texas. Minnesota was in 12th place after the first day.
The Gophers began the session by posting the ninth-best time in the 200 medley relay to advance to the consolation final. Nadav Kochavi, Colin Lee-To, Anthony Portela and Curt Carlson clocked a time of 1:25.08 and will take lane four in the consolation final. The Gophers will look to earn All-America honors in the event for the 15th straight year.
Individually, junior Alex Wold earned an opportunity for a first career All-America award by qualifying 10th for the consolation final in the 400 individual medley. He touched the wall in a career-best 3:44.41, which ranks as the second-best time in school history. Wold dropped 1.4 seconds off his best time set at the Big Ten Championships last month. He will become Minnesota's first 400 IM All-American since 2006. "It was great for Alex," assistant coach Bill Tramel said. "His hard work continues to pay off. He is a guy that comes to practice every day and leaves it all in the pool. He is continuing to learn and he can still get better. This is a great reward for him."
Senior Colin Lee-To will be an individual All-American for the first time in his career. Lee-To advanced to the consolation final of the 100 breaststroke with the 16th-best time of 53.47. "It was a great way to swim his last 100 breast and gives him a chance to swim tonight," Tramel said." He was the fastest in the Big Ten again and he will have a chance to move up."
In other action, junior Ray Betuzzi finished 25th in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:35.55 and freshman Karl Burdis placed 36th in the 100 backstroke with a time of 48.25. The Gophers had two entrants in the 100 butterfly. Kochavi finished 30th with a time of 47.18 and sophomore Kevin Baseheart took 41st in 47.89.
Minnesota will also have an opportunity in the 800 freestyle relay. The Gophers have the 13th-best time entering the timed finals this evening.
Minnesota, who finished 11th at the NCAA meet last year, are looking for a seventh top 10 finish in the last 10 years and an 18th straight top 15 finish.
Players Mentioned
