University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Minnesota Grand Prix
Gophers Through Day One of Grand Prix
11/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
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Thursday Results
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The 2014-15 Arena Grand Prix Series kicked off this morning at our very own University Aquatic Center. The Minnesota Gophers went head-to-head with countless Olympians in day one of three of the Arena Grand Prix at Minneapolis.
Seniors Tori Simenec and Kiera Janzen represented the Gopher women in the championship final of the 200 freestyle. Simenec placed 6th with a time of 1:45.84, followed by Janzen for 7th with a time of 1:47.84. Maddie Hoch and Jessica Plant went 9-10-11 in the event, finishing with times of 1:46.52, 1:46.62 and 1:46.94.
Minnesota men Ben Bravence and Paul Fair finished 9 and 12 respectively. Bravence had a final time of 1:37.21 to win the B final, and Fair finished with a 1:38.27.
Junior Kierra Smith finished the 100 breast with a 59.68 for third place. Golden Gophers alum Haley Spencer also competed alongside Smith, finishing 4th in the event. Freshman Rae Bullinger finished 10th in the event with a time of 1:02.83. Heidi Busack finished 16th with a time of 1:03.91.
The B final of the men's 100 breaststroke was stacked with Gophers both past and present. Freshman Conner McHugh finished at the top of the heat with a 54.68 for 9th. Minnesota alum Jared Anderson finished with a 55.42 for 11th, followed by current Gophers Spencer Mattox (55.69) and Eric Sande (56.13).
Four Gophers competed in the final heat of the women's 100 fly. Freshman Danielle Nack finished with a time of 53.06 for third. Becca Weiland (53.14) and Tori Simenec (53.26) followed for 4th and 5th. Senior Devin Ste. Marie finished 8th with a time of 54.41.
In the men's 100 fly, sophomore Daryl Turner finished 5th behind former Golden Gopher Kyler Van Swol. Turner went a 47.10. Bryce Boston and Ben Bravence picked up 13th and 14th place with times of 49.43 and 49.45 respectively. Nick Orf finished with a 49.67 for 16th place.
Freshman Brooke Zeiger went a 4:09.42 for 4th place in the women's 400 IM. Zeiger was just shy of the Minnesota school record in the event during prelims when she raced a 4:06.63. Breanne Siwicki finished 8th with a time of 4:18.73. Junior Samantha Harding raced in the B final, finishing 11th with a time of 4:18.73.
2014 B1G Freshman of the Year finished 4th in the men's 400 IM with a time of 3:46.79. Brandon Hatanaka (3:53.20) and Andrew Hartbarger (3:55.19) took 12th and 13th place, and Alex Cisneros (3:56.27) and Jon Thielen (4:00.40) took 15th and 16th.
The Golden Gophers closed the night taking first in both the men's and women's 400 free relay. The relay team of Lauren Votava, Becca Weiland, Jessica Plant and Tori Simenec finished with a time of 3:18.83 for first. Daryl Turner, Paul Fair, Ryan Miksch and Carl Newenhouse went a 2:57.59 to take the gold.
The action continues tomorrow with prelims at 9:00 a.m. CT. Friday's events include the 200 fly, 50 free, 100 back, 500 free, 200 breast and 800 free relay.
Players Mentioned
