Meet of the Week Preview: Michigan at Florida

By Jason Marsteller

PHOENIX, Arizona, October 16. THIS weekend, the SwimmingWorldMagazine.com Meet of the Week program returns after an inaugural season that featured plenty of close contests. This week, we will shine the spotlight on the two-day tilt between Florida and Michigan taking place in Gainesville, Fla., from Oct. 19-20. The meet will be swum in long course meters as both squads continue to prepare for the Olympic season.

Here is a quick preview of the match-up:

Date and Time: Friday, October 19, 7 p.m.; Saturday, October 20, 10 a.m.
Location: Gainesville, Fla.
Facility: Stephen C. O'Connell Center Natatorium

Michigan's Last Time Out:
While the Florida meet will be the opener for the women, Michigan's men began the season with a 156-80 triumph over Eastern Michigan on Oct. 12 in Ann Arbor. The win improved Michigan's all-time record against Eastern Michigan to a perfect 28-0. The Wolverines earned the top time or score in all 15 events, including the top three spots in the 200, 500 and 1000-yard freestyle, the 200-yard IM, backstroke and breaststroke, and the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Looking forward with Michigan men's head coach Bob Bowman:
"I'm really looking forward to this meet because we are going to get to swim a full program of events over two days, and we are going to swim long course meters. The Florida team is very tough, and I hope we can give them a good meet. They are extremely well coached, and I look forward to going down there to see where we are against top-level competition."

Looking forward with Michigan women's head coach Jim Richardson:
"We had a close meet with Florida last year in Ann Arbor, and I think that this year is going to be intriguing. There are going to be some races that should be very good races. Emily Brunemann against Katie Ball in the distance events, Leah Retrum against Margaret (Kelly) in the IM – we've got a couple of individuals who can race with Florida's best people."

Florida's Last Time Out:
The Florida men battled with Minnesota in Minneapolis for much of the meet, but wound up securing a 158-142 victory over the defending Big Ten champs with a strong run throughout the final six events. Meanwhile, the women topped Minnesota, 168-132, as the Gators finished with 12 first-place times, including four B-cuts.

Looking forward with Florida head coach Gregg Troy:
"We're going to swim the entire NCAA program over a two-day period, kind of like a two team invitational. Everyone will be able to swim twice, and it will really get the younger guys some great experiences. Michigan is always a great meet for us. It always comes down to the last relay, and it is always really exciting. It will be a great opportunity to see where our younger kids are at as well."

Top 2007-08 Times Comparison:
Men:
50 Free
MICH: 20.78, Chris Brady
FLA: 20.56, Daniel Penniman
100 Free
MICH: 45.81, Bobby Savulich
FLA: 45.58, Daniel Penniman
200 Free
MICH: 1:40.85, Bobby Savulich
FLA: 1:38.07, Shaune Fraser
500 Free
MICH: 4:29.01, Matt Patton
FLA: 4:26.68, Tobias Work
1000 Free
MICH: 9:13.08, Tyler Clary
FLA: 9:18.43, Cody Kauffman
1650 Free
MICH: N/A
FLA: 15:19.42, Tobias Work
100 Back
MICH: 5037, Andre Schultz
FLA: 49.31, Omar Pinzon
200 Back
MICH: 1:47.52, Tyler Clary
FLA: 1:44.17, Roland Rudolf
100 Breast
MICH: 55.99, Scott Spann
FLA: 56.44, Clark Burckle
200 Breast
MICH: 2:02.51, Scott Spann
FLA: 2:00.82, Clark Burckle
100 Fly
MICH: 48.42, Chris Brady
FLA: 48.35, Shaune Fraser
200 Fly
MICH: 1:57.71, Alex Vanderkaay
FLA: 1:47.55, Omar Pinzon
200 IM
MICH: 1:50.70, Tyler Clary
FLA: 1:51.99, Shaune Fraser
400 IM
MICH: N/A
FLA: 3:55.33, Clark Burckle
200 Free Relay
MICH: 1:23.35
FLA: N/A
400 Free Relay
MICH: N/A
FLA: 2:59.51
800 Free Relay
MICH: N/A
FLA: N/A
200 Medley Relay
MICH: N/A
FLA: 1:29.46
400 Medley Relay
MICH: N/A
FLA: N/A
1M Diving
MICH: 300.55, Kyle Schroeder
FLA: 236.10, Aaron Leech
3M Diving
MICH: 316.10, Kyle Schroeder
FLA: 254.40, Aaron Leech

Women:
50 Free
MICH: N/A
FLA: 23.29, Stephanie Napier
100 Free
MICH: N/A
FLA: 51.25, Natalie Pike
200 Free
MICH: N/A
FLA: 1:47.74, Caroline Burckle
500 Free
MICH: N/A
FLA: 4:47.01, Caroline Burckle
1000 Free
MICH: N/A
FLA: 9:47.33, Caroline Burckle
1650 Free
MICH: N/A
FLA: 16:32.00, Laurabeth Guenther
100 Back
MICH: N/A
FLA: 54.69, Gemma Spofforth
200 Back
MICH: N/A
FLA: 1:57.83, Gemma Spofforth
100 Breast
MICH: N/A
FLA: 1:02.51, Caroline Burckle
200 Breast
MICH: N/A
FLA: 2:19.34, Amanda Hartley
100 Fly
MICH: N/A
FLA: 55.33, Elizabeth Kemp
200 Fly
MICH: N/A
FLA: 2:02.51, Elizabeth Kemp
200 IM
MICH: N/A
FLA: 2:04.45, Natalie Pike
400 IM
MICH: N/A
FLA: 4:28.77, Stacy Nedrud
200 Free Relay
MICH: N/A
FLA: N/A
400 Free Relay
MICH: N/A
FLA: 3:24.78
800 Free Relay
MICH: N/A
FLA: N/A
200 Medley Relay
MICH: N/A
FLA: 1:43.52
400 Medley Relay
MICH: N/A
FLA: N/A
1M Diving
MICH: N/A
FLA: 267.38, Jeniree Flores
3M Diving
MICH: N/A
FLA: 269.93, Monica Dodson

* – denotes meter conversion

MOTW, Michigan at Florida Map

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x