University of Minnesota Athletics
Two Relays Earn All-America Honors At NCAAs
3/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
The Minnesota men's swimming team picked up All-America honors from its 200 freestyle relay and 400 medley relay teams on the first day of competition at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in College Station, Texas. Minnesota scored 32 points this evening and are in 12th place. Texas owns the lead after the first of three days with 171 points, followed by Auburn (141) and Stanford (130).
The 200 free relay team of Colin Lee-To (19.97), Michael Richards (19.31), Curt Carlson (19.04) and Steve Miller (19.33) placed seventh with a time of 1:17.65. The Gophers weren't able to match their school record time of 1:17.10 from the prelims but still moved up a spot from the prelims and score 24 team points. Minnesota has earned FIrst Team All-America honors in the 200 free relay in five of the last six years. Auburn took home the title in an NCAA record 1:14.08 while Stanford also broke the previous NCAA mark to finish second in 1:14.22.
The Gophers 400 medley relay team finished 13th overall with a time of 3:11.00. Nadav Kochavi, Lee-To, Anthony Portela and Carlson picked All-America honors for the Gophers and eight team points. Minnesota has earned All-America honors in the event for four consecutive seasons.
The two All-America certificates give Lee-To six for this career while Carlson has four in his young career. Richards became an All-American for the third time while Miller and Portela earned certificates for the second time. Kochavi earned his first honor.
Minnesota had six individuals take the blocks during the prelims but none advanced to the evening session. Minnesota had three competitors in the 50 freestyle. Carlson led the way, finishing 28th with a time of 19.68. Richards placed 43rd in 19.94 and Miller was 46th in 19.96.
Making his first career swim at the NCAA Championships, Alex Wold posted a time of 1:46.03 to place 42nd in the 200 individual medley. He will compete in the 400 IM and 200 butterfly later in the three-day meet.
In the 500 freestyle, Ray Betuzzi paced Minnesota in 36th place with a time of 4:22.93 and Mike Holmes finished 42nd in 4:24.25.
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
