Michigan Completes Two-Day Demolition of Big Ten Rival Ohio State

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, February 2. THE top-ranked University of Michigan men's swimming and diving team built upon its already-lengthy lead with seven more wins to topple No. 10 Ohio State for the 22nd consecutive season, closing out a 251-75 win on Senior Day on Saturday (Feb. 2) at Canham Natatorium.

Three seniors combined to help Michigan take first in the 200-yard medley relay to open the meet, as the quartet of senior Miguel Ortiz (Tokyo, Japan/St. Mary's International), sophomore Bruno Ortiz(Tokyo, Japan/St. Mary's International), senior Sean Fletcher (Vienna, Va./James Madison) and senior Zachary Turk (Akron, Ohio/St. Edwards) finished at 1:25.89, just .04 seconds off a pool record. The Wolverines' 'A' and 'B' relay teams were comprised entirely of seniors to close the meet, as the 'A' squad of Turk, Evan Gregg (Blacksburg, Va./Blacksburg), Fletcher and M. Ortiz touched the wall first (1:19.78).

With a big lead already in tow, Michigan exhibitioned every swimmer but winners and seniors, but the Wolverines continued to get fast swims. Junior Connor Jaeger (Fair Haven, N.J./Rumson-Fair Haven) picked up his second win in as many days, taking top honors in the 500-yard freestyle (4:23.17), with senior Ryan Feeley (Rye, N.Y./Rye) in second (4:28.26). Freshman Anders Lie (Vanloese, Denmark) had the second-fastest time in the race, picking up an NCAA consideration time (4:23.46).

Michigan had two other winners before the first break. Junior Kyle Whitaker (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) won the 200-yard individual medley (1:47.30), before junior John Wojciechowski (Scottsdale, Ariz./Phoenix Brophy Prep) and Fletcher took first (47.05) and second (47.88), respectively, in the 100-yard butterfly.

Ohio State picked up its only win of the entire meet in the 200-yard backstroke, with senior Connor McCarroll (Portland, Ore./Jesuit)taking second (1:48.03). The dominance resumed in the following race, as Turk, M. Ortiz and senior Roman Willets (Whitehouse, Ohio/St. Francis de Sales) finished 1-2-3 in the 100-yard freestyle. Turk came in at 43.60, followed by Ortiz at 44.11 and Willets at 45.10. Junior Kyle Duckitt (Johannesburg, South Africa/St. John's College) was the final individual event winner — 200-yard breaststroke (2:01.40).

Another rivalry is on tap for next week, as Michigan jumps back in the pool to take on Michigan State next Saturday (Feb. 9) in East Lansing, Mich. The meet will begin at noon.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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