University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Beat Wisconsin in Dual Meet
10/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
The Gopher men’s swimming and diving team opened its Big Ten season by continuing its domination over Wisconsin. Minnesota won nine of 16 events on the way to a 174-123 victory, extending its winning streak over Wisconsin to 24. The Gophers took a 96-53 lead through eight events and extended that lead to 160-102 to lock up the win before the final two events.
Minnesota started the meet off by winning the 200-yard medley relay. Nadav Kochavi, Ivan Gutesa, Kyler Van Swol, and Michael Richards swam a time of 1:30.96 for the victory. Minnesota’s ‘B’ relay came in second at 1:31.77 after briefly overtaking the ‘A’ squad.
In the next event, Matt Benecki won the 1000 free in 9:20.81. Benecki was one of three double champions for the Gophers, later winning the 500 free (4:33.40). Zach Bolin, another multiple-event winner, won a tight race in the 100 back, beating out the Badgers’ Jesse Stipek (51.13) with a time of 51.06. Bolin went on to win the 100 free (45.23) ahead of teammate Michael Richards (45.84), who won the 50 free (20.35). Minnesota’s third double winner was Ivan Gutesa, who won both the 100 breaststroke (56.03) and the 200 breaststroke (2:02.41).
The Gophers capped off the meet by winning the 400 free relay in a time of 3:02.22. Richards, Bolin, Derek Toomey, and Curt Carlson made up Minnesota’s ‘A’ relay squad.
"We really swam well against a solid team," said Minnesota associate head coach Bill Tramel. "We're very happy to get the win over a border rival."
The Badgers’ Dan Lester won the 100 and 200 butterfly and the 200 individual medley, and diver Mikey Ross won both the 1-meter and 3-meter.
The Gophers will host dual meets against Iowa and North Carolina next weekend. The meet against the Hawkeyes will start at 5 p.m. on Nov. 5, and the meet against the Tar Heels will start at 12 p.m. on Nov.6.
Players Mentioned
