Grevers and Alexandrov Survive Northwestern Pool Record Chase at TYR Invite

EVANSTON, Illinois, November 23. THOUGH a few NCAA B cuts showed up on the scoreboard tonight at the TYR Invitational, all eyes were on a few of the Norris Aquatic Center records, held by notable Northwestern alumni.

One day after his longstanding 50 free pool record was broken by Chase Stephens, Matt Grevers’ name was almost erased in two events today. In the 100 butterfly, Missouri State’s Bryan Williams posted a 47.37 to win the event and put a scare into Grevers’ pool record of 46.96 from 2006.

Missouri State’s Paul Le also made a run for Grevers’ pool record of 46.85 in the 100 back, but fell short with a 47.09. For now, it’s the fastest 100 back of the season, supplanting Luca Spinazzola’s 47.16 from the top of the mountain. It is also .02 off his lifetime best and school record of 47.07 from the 2013 conference championships.

Another notable pool record nearly fell in the men’s 400 IM as another Missouri State swimmer posted a win. Uvis Kalnins, last night’s winner in the 200 IM, posted a 3:50.51 to nearly take out NCAA champion and Olympian Mike Alexandrov’s time of 3:50.25 from 2005.

Despite the near misses, one pool record did fall in tonight’s competition. Northwestern’s men’s 200 medley relay team of Mark Ferguson, Uula Auren, Andrew Jovanovic and Chase Stephens posted a 1:27.64 to beat Michigan State’s five-year-old record of 1:27.85. Notably, Stephens put up an incredible anchor leg of 19.42. Missouri State and Michigan State were not far behind, posting times of 1:28.09 and 1:28.63.

After a strong 500 free yesterday, Northwestern freshman Lauren Abruzzo took the women’s 400 IM with a 4:18.56 after posting a 4:18.26 in prelims. Another freshman, Missouri State’s Sarah Love, won the 100 fly with a 55.36, while Northwestern freshman Lacey Locke took the women’s 100 back with a 54.58.

Two seniors took the other women’s individual events today. Jackie Powell of Northwestern posted a 1:50.03 to win the 200 free and Missouri State senior Renata Sander posted a 1:02.10 to take the 100 breast.

After an impressive 50 free in yesterday’s session, Stephens won the 200 free with a 1:37.06. It’s a personal best by about two tenths. Isaac Springer of Missouri State won the other men’s individual event today, posting a 54.61 to win the 100 breast.

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