University of Minnesota Athletics
Wednesday, December 4
Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center
6:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Minnesota Invitational
Players Mentioned
Diving
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Breaststroke/Freestyle
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Backstroke
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Preview: Minnesota Invite to Feature Top Teams in Nation
12/2/2019 10:15:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
From Dec. 4-7, Minnesota Aquatics will be partnering with Gopher Swimming and Diving to host the Minnesota Invite at Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center.
One of the premier invitationals in the country this year, the Minnesota Invite is set to include some of the nation's best swimming and diving programs. Arizona, California-Berkley, Harvard, Iowa, Michigan and Texas will all compete alongside the Gophers over the course of the four day event.
The action will begin on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. with the 200 medley relay and 800 freestyle relay races. Thereafter, from Dec. 5-7, preliminaries will start promptly at 10 a.m, while diving events are scheduled for 12 p.m. Each day, event finals will take place at 6 p.m.
Full details pertaining to the Invite's schedule can be found through the links at the top of the page.
CLOSING OUT THE HOME SLATE
When the Minnesota Invite concludes on Dec. 7, so will the Gophers' 2019-20 slate at Jean K. Freeman. After hosting dual meets against Florida (Oct. 11) and Wisconsin (Nov. 8) earlier this year, Minnesota will take to the road for the remainder of the season.
LAST TIME OUT
Minnesota last competed in the pool on Nov. 8, when the Badgers of Wisconsin came to town for a Big Ten Conference dual meet. Both sides ultimately came up short for the Gophers, as the men fell, 123-177, while the women dropped a close battle, 145-155.
IN THE RANKINGS
Heading into the Invite, the Minnesota men and women have both garnered top-25 consideration as voted on by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). While the Gopher women currently possess the no. 21 spot in the country, the men received votes in the latest poll, coming in just outside the top-25.
As for the competition, two teams boast top-5 status on both the men's and women's side in California and Texas. California's men's squad is currently ranked second nationally, while the Golden Bear women come in at No. 3. On the other hand, the Longhorn men and women currently possess the No. 1 and No. 5 spots in the country, respectively.
Rounding out the group, Michigan enters with their men ranked No. 5 and the women occupying the No. 18 spot. Iowa is ranked No. 22 on the men's side, while the Hawkeye women received votes in the most recent poll. Lastly, the Arizona men boast the No. 20 national ranking, while the Harvard men's team received votes in the latest poll as well.
HEARING FROM SENIOR MADISON PREISS...
"This year, we have a culture that emphasizes the importance of the team rather than individuals. Whether that be holding each other accountable or supporting one another in and out of the pool, it's really made a difference. I'm excited to see everyone race and dive this week, especially the freshmen. They're one of the most talented classes I've seen in my time here. We've experienced a good amount of adversity this season, so I think we're going to surprise some people with what we can do."
HEARING FROM SENIOR TUOMAS POKKINEN…
"I think every individual team member has done a great job this season of enabling our team to do great things as championship season comes around. We've all been pushing each other at practice and really look forward to seeing where we're at this week."
HEARING FROM SENIOR LINDSEY KOZELSKY…
"I think everyone has excited nerves going into this meet. We've put in a lot of work this fall and we're excited to show people what Minnesota can do, but it's the first big meet outside of dual meets this season. It will be exciting to swim against so many other teams."
GOPHERS NOTCHING MULTIPLE VICTORIES
When Minnesota last competed on Nov. 8 against Wisconsin, Cameron Kelley, Max McHugh and Lindsey Kozelsky all recorded multiple individual first place finishes. Kelley did so in the 500 free and 1000 free, while McHugh and Kozelsky each won their respective races in the 100 breast and 200 breast.
TOP NATIONAL TIMES
First place finishes were not the only noteworthy aspect of McHugh's and Kozelsky's performances several weeks back, as the duo also posted some pretty impressive times in the process. At the time, McHugh's mark of 52.59 in the 100 back was the fastest in the nation, while his 1:56.41 mark in the 200 breast came in at third nationally. On the other hand, Kozelsky swam what was the nation's third-fastest time in the 100 breast, touching the wall in 59.77.
B1G ACCOLADES ON RECORD PACE
Through a mere four dual meets, Minnesota already boasts seven total weekly Big Ten Conference awards. The team has earned four Big Ten Swimmer of the Week nods in McHugh (Oct. 30, Nov. 13), Kozelsky (Nov. 13) and Tevyn Waddell (Oct. 30). Additionally, Gavin Olson has twice been named Freshman of the Week (Oct. 30, Nov. 13), while Jake Butler garnered Diver of the Week honors back on Oct. 16.
With seven awards this early in the season, the Gophers could potentially haul in more weekly Big Ten accolades than in any of the previous three seasons. Minnesota has nearly matched the total number of weekly nods seen in both 2016-17 and 2017-18, in which the Gophers were honored on eight occasions in both years. Last season, the Maroon and Gold secured 15 weekly awards, but that total is more than attainable seeing as the current season is still less than half complete.
IN THE DIVING WELL – WOMEN
Throughout the first half of the 2019-20 season, there are three female divers that have been shouldering the diving load for the U in newcomers Jaclynn Fowler, Jae Sarkis and Joy Zhu. Fowler owns the top score for the Gophers in the three-meter (347.20), while Zhu registered a team-best score of 316.20 in the one-meter. In the team's last dual meet against Wisconsin, Zhu swept the diving events for the first two wins of her collegiate career.
IN THE DIVING WELL – MEN
In the midst of a stellar freshman campaign, Butler has been the core of the men's diving group so far this season. Butler placed within the top three of every event he participated in this year, winning both the one-meter and three-meter two times apiece. His season highs of 348.53 in the one-meter and 383.55 in the three-meter are both tops among Minnesota divers.
Nevertheless, senior Jeremy Moser provides experience and depth in the diving well for the Gophers. His season highs in the one-meter (331.60) and three-meter (342.83) are both second among Minnesota divers, as this makeshift freshman-senior duo are the clear-cut ones to watch as the Invite's diving events begin at noon on Thursday, Dec. 5.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following the conclusion of the Invite, Minnesota's next dual meet of the season will not take place until Saturday, Jan. 11 at Hawaii. In the meantime, USA Diving World Cup trials are scheduled to be held at Jean K. Freeman from Dec. 14-21. Gopher divers will also attend the University of Tennessee Diving Invite from Jan. 3-5.
One of the premier invitationals in the country this year, the Minnesota Invite is set to include some of the nation's best swimming and diving programs. Arizona, California-Berkley, Harvard, Iowa, Michigan and Texas will all compete alongside the Gophers over the course of the four day event.
The action will begin on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. with the 200 medley relay and 800 freestyle relay races. Thereafter, from Dec. 5-7, preliminaries will start promptly at 10 a.m, while diving events are scheduled for 12 p.m. Each day, event finals will take place at 6 p.m.
Full details pertaining to the Invite's schedule can be found through the links at the top of the page.
CLOSING OUT THE HOME SLATE
When the Minnesota Invite concludes on Dec. 7, so will the Gophers' 2019-20 slate at Jean K. Freeman. After hosting dual meets against Florida (Oct. 11) and Wisconsin (Nov. 8) earlier this year, Minnesota will take to the road for the remainder of the season.
LAST TIME OUT
Minnesota last competed in the pool on Nov. 8, when the Badgers of Wisconsin came to town for a Big Ten Conference dual meet. Both sides ultimately came up short for the Gophers, as the men fell, 123-177, while the women dropped a close battle, 145-155.
IN THE RANKINGS
Heading into the Invite, the Minnesota men and women have both garnered top-25 consideration as voted on by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). While the Gopher women currently possess the no. 21 spot in the country, the men received votes in the latest poll, coming in just outside the top-25.
As for the competition, two teams boast top-5 status on both the men's and women's side in California and Texas. California's men's squad is currently ranked second nationally, while the Golden Bear women come in at No. 3. On the other hand, the Longhorn men and women currently possess the No. 1 and No. 5 spots in the country, respectively.
Rounding out the group, Michigan enters with their men ranked No. 5 and the women occupying the No. 18 spot. Iowa is ranked No. 22 on the men's side, while the Hawkeye women received votes in the most recent poll. Lastly, the Arizona men boast the No. 20 national ranking, while the Harvard men's team received votes in the latest poll as well.
HEARING FROM SENIOR MADISON PREISS...
"This year, we have a culture that emphasizes the importance of the team rather than individuals. Whether that be holding each other accountable or supporting one another in and out of the pool, it's really made a difference. I'm excited to see everyone race and dive this week, especially the freshmen. They're one of the most talented classes I've seen in my time here. We've experienced a good amount of adversity this season, so I think we're going to surprise some people with what we can do."
HEARING FROM SENIOR TUOMAS POKKINEN…
"I think every individual team member has done a great job this season of enabling our team to do great things as championship season comes around. We've all been pushing each other at practice and really look forward to seeing where we're at this week."
HEARING FROM SENIOR LINDSEY KOZELSKY…
"I think everyone has excited nerves going into this meet. We've put in a lot of work this fall and we're excited to show people what Minnesota can do, but it's the first big meet outside of dual meets this season. It will be exciting to swim against so many other teams."
GOPHERS NOTCHING MULTIPLE VICTORIES
When Minnesota last competed on Nov. 8 against Wisconsin, Cameron Kelley, Max McHugh and Lindsey Kozelsky all recorded multiple individual first place finishes. Kelley did so in the 500 free and 1000 free, while McHugh and Kozelsky each won their respective races in the 100 breast and 200 breast.
TOP NATIONAL TIMES
First place finishes were not the only noteworthy aspect of McHugh's and Kozelsky's performances several weeks back, as the duo also posted some pretty impressive times in the process. At the time, McHugh's mark of 52.59 in the 100 back was the fastest in the nation, while his 1:56.41 mark in the 200 breast came in at third nationally. On the other hand, Kozelsky swam what was the nation's third-fastest time in the 100 breast, touching the wall in 59.77.
B1G ACCOLADES ON RECORD PACE
Through a mere four dual meets, Minnesota already boasts seven total weekly Big Ten Conference awards. The team has earned four Big Ten Swimmer of the Week nods in McHugh (Oct. 30, Nov. 13), Kozelsky (Nov. 13) and Tevyn Waddell (Oct. 30). Additionally, Gavin Olson has twice been named Freshman of the Week (Oct. 30, Nov. 13), while Jake Butler garnered Diver of the Week honors back on Oct. 16.
With seven awards this early in the season, the Gophers could potentially haul in more weekly Big Ten accolades than in any of the previous three seasons. Minnesota has nearly matched the total number of weekly nods seen in both 2016-17 and 2017-18, in which the Gophers were honored on eight occasions in both years. Last season, the Maroon and Gold secured 15 weekly awards, but that total is more than attainable seeing as the current season is still less than half complete.
IN THE DIVING WELL – WOMEN
Throughout the first half of the 2019-20 season, there are three female divers that have been shouldering the diving load for the U in newcomers Jaclynn Fowler, Jae Sarkis and Joy Zhu. Fowler owns the top score for the Gophers in the three-meter (347.20), while Zhu registered a team-best score of 316.20 in the one-meter. In the team's last dual meet against Wisconsin, Zhu swept the diving events for the first two wins of her collegiate career.
IN THE DIVING WELL – MEN
In the midst of a stellar freshman campaign, Butler has been the core of the men's diving group so far this season. Butler placed within the top three of every event he participated in this year, winning both the one-meter and three-meter two times apiece. His season highs of 348.53 in the one-meter and 383.55 in the three-meter are both tops among Minnesota divers.
Nevertheless, senior Jeremy Moser provides experience and depth in the diving well for the Gophers. His season highs in the one-meter (331.60) and three-meter (342.83) are both second among Minnesota divers, as this makeshift freshman-senior duo are the clear-cut ones to watch as the Invite's diving events begin at noon on Thursday, Dec. 5.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following the conclusion of the Invite, Minnesota's next dual meet of the season will not take place until Saturday, Jan. 11 at Hawaii. In the meantime, USA Diving World Cup trials are scheduled to be held at Jean K. Freeman from Dec. 14-21. Gopher divers will also attend the University of Tennessee Diving Invite from Jan. 3-5.
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