University of Minnesota Athletics
Day One Notes and Quotes
2/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
Big Ten Championships
University Aquatic Center
Minneapolis, Minn.
February 23-36, 2011
Notes and Quotes
Day One Finals
February 23, 2011
• Michigan won the 200-yard medley relay for the second consecutive year at the Big Ten Championships.
• Michigan recorded an automatic qualifying time of 1:25.39 in the 200 medley relay, the Wolverines’ first ‘A’ time this season.
• Ohio State also recorded its first ‘A’ time of the season in the 200 medley relay (1:25.57).
• The Wolverines recorded another ‘A’ qualifier by winning the 800-yard freestyle relay in a time of 6:20.11. They cut nearly 14 seconds off their previous best time this season.
• This was Michigan’s 11th straight title in the 800 free relay. This matches Big Ten mark for consecutive relay wins by a team set by Indiana, which won the 400 medley relay every year 1967-77.
• Ohio State (6:21.10) and Indiana (6:21.81) recorded their first ‘A’ times in the 800 free relay.
• Michigan has swept the relays in the first two years when the Big Ten Championships have used a four-day format.
Neal Kennedy, Michigan, 200-yard Medley Relay Anchor
On winning the relay and recording an automatic qualifying time:
“It feels great. We had two new guys on our relay that weren’t there last year and we beat last year’s time. To know that we’re in NCAAs, it’s just another step of the way and it’s always great leading off the meet with a win.”
Kyle Whitaker, Michigan, 800 Freestyle Relay Anchor
On what was going through his head before the race:
“The first thing that came to my mind was, This is the team right here. It’s not just me swimming. It’s these three guys and the rest of the guys sitting on the side of the pool cheering. Everybody’s behind you on that relay. It’s not just one person out there. It’s the whole team, and that’s the thing I was swimming for out there. I was swimming for the team and Michigan.”
