NCAA Div. I Men: Notre Dame Beats Ball State

By Alan Wasielewski

MUNCIE, Ind., Jan. 27. THE University of Notre Dame men's swimming and diving team (5-2) earned its second dual meet victory in 24 hours, defeating Ball State 131.5-111.5 in Muncie, Ind., Saturday
afternoon. The Irish competed against the Cardinals just 18 hours after winning a dual meet over Wisconsin-Milwaukee Friday evening at the Rolfs Aquatic Center.

Notre Dame was led by two multiple-event winners. Senior Ryan Verlin (Rye, NY) won the 200 individual medley in 1:56.55, then placed first in the 200 butterfly (1:52.52) just two events later. Verlin also
helped the 400 medley relay team, Brian Skorney (Staten Island, NY), Dan Szilier (Norristown, Pa.) and Matt Grunewald (Centerville, Ohio), finish second in the first event of the meet.

Jonathan Pierce (Newburgh, Ind.) played the part of the other multiple-event winner for the Irish. Pierce, the 1999 and 2000 BIG EAST Champion in the 1,650 freestyle won both distance freestyle events in the
meet at Ball State. Pierce took first place in the 1,000 freestyle in, then coasted to victory in the 500 freestyle (4:38.80). His 9:36.86 time in the 1,000 freestyle is the top time in that event for the Notre Dame team this season.

Matt Obringer (Jacksonville, Fla.) continued his impressive freshman campaign with a victory in the 200 freestyle (1:44.08) and also placed second in the 100 freestyle (48.27).

Notre Dame's diving contingent has established itself as one of the best groups in the country this season and did not disappoint its teammates in the meet today. Senior Herb Huesman (Cincinnati, Ohio) won the
one-meter diving competition by posting 305.03 points, just ahead of teammate Andy Maggio (Cincinnati, Ohio) with 303.15 points. Maggio would move on to win the three-meter competition with 288.45 points.

Notre Dame's other individual event winner was senior Dan Szilier (Norristown, Pa.), who captured first in the 200 breaststroke (2:07.62).

The Irish will face a similar 24-hour challenge next weekend when they travel to Cleveland State on Friday, Feb. 2, and St. Bonaventure Saturday, Feb. 3.

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