.: Minnesota Challenge Day One
Minneapolis, MN , January 26th, 2007
Meet Results
The No. 7 University of Minnesota men’s swimming and diving team competed in its final tune-up before the 2007 Big Ten Championships in March, hosting the Minnesota Challenge, tonight, at the University Aquatic Center. No team scores were kept, but the Gophers walked away with four individual wins.
Minnesota opened competition with a win in the 200 free relay. The foursome of Colin Lee-To, Dan Berve, Evan Bernier, and Mike Woodson combined for a time of 1:21.31.
Minnesota dominated the 500 free, placing six U of M swimmers in the top six spots. Ray Bertuzzi led the way with a first-place time of 4:27.20, while Nico Zebley added a second-place time of 4:32.88. Mike Holmes followed in 4:33.13, while Zach Wood placed fourth when he chipped in a time of 4:35.48. John Menozzi placed fifth overall (4:35.63), while Erich Welton rounded out the top six in 4:35.72.
Similar to the 500 free, Minnesota took home the top eight spots in the 200 individual medley. Russ Payne won the event when he touched the wall in a time of 1:50.27, followed by Lee-To in 1:51.91. Alex Wold added a third-place time of 1:52.85 and Bernier clocked a time of 1:53.12, which was good for fourth overall. Also competing in the event was Anthony Portela in fifth (1:54.12), Rob Schaefer in sixth (1:54.26), Mark Solfelt in seventh (1:55.27) and David Plummer in eighth place (1:56.24).
Igor Cerensek won the 50 free with a time of 20.44. Teammate Ales Volcansek clocked a time of 20.54 for second and Woodson held the third-fastest time, finishing in 20.73.
Minnesota will conclude the Minnesota Challenge tomorrow at noon and again at 6 p.m. The Gophers will then travel to the Big Ten Championships, Feb. 15-17 in Columbus, Ohio.
