Stanford Swims Past Pacific Behind Returns of Andrei Minakov, Ron Polonsky

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The Stanford men’s swimming team returned to action Friday after a two-month break from competition and beat Pacific, 181-35, at Avery Aquatic Center.

The meet featured the season debuts of Stanford Olympians Andrei Minakov and Ron Polonsky, and former U.S. junior national Zhier Fan.

No. 9 Stanford improved to 3-0 in duals as the season begins to grow in intensity. A day after the top-ranked Sun Devils come to town, Stanford plays host to No. 20 Arizona (11:30 a.m.) and then travels to No. 15 USC on February 3. The dual meet season concludes at Avery on February 24 with the annual showdown against Cal, the defending NCAA champion currently ranked No. 3.

The Pacific meet was an opportunity to get back into the competitive environment. The meet reflected the adjustment with most races at non-standard distances. One exception was the 1,650-yard freestyle, in which sophomore Henry Morrissey reached the NCAA ‘B’ standard for the first time this season, clocking 15:22.85, behind Liam Custer’s 15:01.98.

Polonsky, a 2020 Olympian for Israel, competed in three events – the 400 medley relay, 300 free, and 100 individual medley. In the 300 free, Polonsky actually switched to all four medley strokes while the rest of the field performed strictly freestyle. With one event in between to rest, Polonsky minutes later competed in the 100 IM, which he won in a personal best at the seldom-contested distance, of 49.58.

Minakov, a 2020 Olympian from Russia who was fourth in the 100-meter butterfly in Tokyo, had the fastest time in his two individual events, the 150-yard fly (1:12.13) and 300 free (2:30.33). He also anchored the Stanford ‘B’ team to second in the 400 free relay.

Fan captured the 50 breaststroke (24.86), was second in the 150 backstroke to teammate Hayden Kwan, part of the winning 400 medley relay team and also raced in the 400 free relay.

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— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Stanford Athletics. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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