NCAA Div. I Men: Minnesota Rolling Toward Big 10 Title

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 23. THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Gophers continued their drive toward the men's Big 10 title at their home pool in Minneapolis, amassing 549 points after two days of competition. Michigan and Penn State are tied for second place with 378. On Day Two, only swimeers from the top three schools were able to record victories.

As Day Two began, Minnesota got the ball rolling with a convincing win in the 200 yard medley relay, touching in 1:27.21.

Michigan answered in the very next event when Tim Siciliano won the 400 IM by almost six second in a time of 3:42.45, the fastest in the nation this season. Siciliano won the event at the 1999 NCAAs and is looking to regain his crown.

Penn State's Eugene Botes followed with a 47.78 victory in the 100 fly.

Michigan's Dan Ketchum turned in the Wolverines' second nation-leading time when he blasted a 1:34,99 to win the 200 free.

Next it was Penn State's turn as Hungariaan import
Tamas Bessenyei clocked 53.78 to take the 100 breast.

The the Gophers took command, sweeping the top three places in the 100 back. Todd Smolinski led the parade of Michigan swimmers to the wall, touching in 46.91. He was followed by teammates Alex Massura (47.41) and Ben Bartell (48.48). The home team's Dan Croaston followed with his second Big 10 title on the boards, this time taking the 3-meter springboard with 590.65 points, 46 points ahead of his nearest competitor.

Michigan flexed its distance freestyle muscles by taking the day's final event, the 800 free relay, in 6:26.33. Minnesota (6:28.17) and Penn State (6:29.80) followed.

RESULTS

200 Yard Medley Relay
1. Minnesota 1:27.21
2. Wisconsin 1:28.15
3. Purdue 1:28.34

400 Yard IM
1. Tim Siciliano, MICH 3:42.45
2. Justin Mortimer, MINN 3:48.05
3. Joe Peresan, PSU 3:50.24

100 Yard Butterfly
1. Eugene Botes, PSU 47.48
2. Chad Krastins, MINN 47.68
3. Brendan Coyne, WIS 47.71

200 Yard Freestyle
1. Dan Ketchum, MICH 1:34.99
2. Jay Glenn, IA 1:36.69
3. John Munley, MSU 1:36.74

100 Yard Breaststroke
1. Tamas Bessenyei, PUR 53.78
2. Lance Jones, WISC 54.40
3. Martin Gustavsson,MINN 55.31

100 Yard Backstroke
1. Todd Smolinski, MINN 46.91
2. Alex Massura, MINN 47.41
3. Ben Bartell, MINN 48.48

3 Meter Diving
1. Dan Croaston, MINN 590.65
2. Thomas Davidson, IND 544.10
3. Chris Monson, OSU 509.0

800 Yard Freestyle
1. Michigan 6:26.33
2. Minnesota 6:28.17
3. Penn State 6:29.80

Team Standings Following Day Two
1. Minnesota 549
2. Penn State 378
2. Michigan 378
4. Wisconsin 240
5. Ohio State 211
6. Indiana 207
7. Northwestern 199
7 Purdue 199
9. IOWA 144
10. Michigan State 117

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