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Minnesota Jumps Out Early at Big Ten

Feb 23, 2001

The University of Minnesota established a firm lead after day one of the 2001 Men's Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships, scoring 241 points. Penn State is in second with 170 points, and Michigan is in third with 162 points. Wisconsin and Ohio State round out the top five with 114 points and 109 points, respectively.

Minnesota swept the relays, setting two new Big Ten Conference records in the process. The Golden Gophers led off the meet by winning the 200 freestyle relay in 1:18.49, breaking the record of 1:18.95, set by Iowa in 1993. Their 400 medley relay also set a new conference mark of 3:10.79, breaking the old record of 3:11.74, set by Ohio State in 1998.

Sydney Olympic bronze medalist Chris Thompson of Michigan became the first four-time winner of the 500 freestyle, as he won the event in an NCAA "A" time of 4:16.22. Michigan's Dan Ketchum finished second in 4:17.65, and Minnesota freshman Justin Mortimer, the top qualifier in preliminaries, was third at 4:17.95. Tim Siciliano of Michigan and Martin Schierhorn of Penn State rounded out the top five, all in NCAA "A" times.

Penn State was the individual event winner of the night, taking first in two swimming events. Senior Joe Peresan broke his own school record en route to winning the 200 individual medley in an NCAA "B" time of 1:47.32. Brendan Coyne of Wisconsin finished second with a time of 1:47.81. Northwestern's Tony Swanson finished third in 1:47.87.

Nittany Lion junior Bob Molettiere won the 50 freestyle, touching in a 19.80, edging out Brian Malich of Ohio State and Minnesota's Ricardo Dornelas, who finished in a 19.96 and 19.98, respectively.

Tom Davidson of Indiana won his third one-meter diving championship with 369.60, finishing just 11.80 points ahead of Minnesota's Dan Croaston. Davidson also captured the one-meter title in 1998 and 2000. Jason Coben of Michigan finished third with 320.75 points.