By Andy Ross
Every team has one. Every school has that one other school that they refuse to cheer for. The one school that they cannot stand to watch win. The one school that they bust their butt every single day to beat. The one school that is circled on the schedule from the first day of practice. The one school where everyone brings their A-game. The one school where season records are thrown out the door, reputations are on the line, and bragging rights are at stake.
7. Ohio State-Michigan Men
This is another rivalry that is known for football, and is also known as one of the best rivalry in all of college sports. These two schools have pretty rich swimming histories as well. If a casual swimming fan was to name the schools with the most national championships in men's swimming, it is unlikely they would name Ohio State. In fact, the Buckeyes have 11 national titles. (2nd behind only Michigan's 18.) Granted, they haven't won one since 1962 (led by the legendary coach Mike Peppe), the Buckeyes still have a strong team now in the 2000s.
Although Michigan has won five of the last six Big Ten titles under Mike Bottom, their one loss came to the Buckeyes in Columbus in 2010. The Wolverines were looking for their third straight Big Ten title while Ohio State was looking for their first since 1956.
During that meet, Michigan won the first two relays on night one to take an early lead while Ohio State placed second in both. The first event of the second day was the 500 freestyle. Michigan had won the event 13 straight years at the Big Ten championships and had five finalists, led by top-seeded Dan Madwed. George Markovic was a senior for the Buckeyes swimming in his home pool and was looking for a huge upset. The first 200 was tight across the pool as Markovic held a small lead over Hassaan Abdel Khalik, Madwed, and Charlie Houchin, all from Michigan. By the 300, Abdel Khalik, Madwed, and Houchin were leading Markovic but only by a small margin. By the 450, it was Markovic and Abdel Khalik to battle it out and the senior for Ohio State took the win in 4:15.35 for the first Buckeye win in that event ever and the Michigan streak was over.
Michigan won the 400 medley relay for their third relay win (of note was Tyler Clary's anchor leg of 42.4 for the win) and the Wolverines still led closely after two days. The beginning of the third day started off with Wolverine wins by Tyler Clary, Chris Brady, and Dan Madwed. But Ohio State was thrown back in the mix with a 1-2-4 finish in the 100 breast led by Elliott Keefer, a 100 back win by Andrew Elliott, as well as three A-finalists in three-meter diving, and a 200 free relay win. Going into the final day, the Buckeyes were in prime position to win.
After Michigan won 16 of the last 17 1650 titles, Stefan Sigrist of Ohio State snapped the streak beating out Ryan Feeley from the Maize and Blue and the Buckeyes celebrated their first Big Ten Championship since 1956 in their home pool and beat Michigan at Big Ten's for the first time since 1978.
Michigan has not lost to Ohio State in a dual meet since 1991, but their last meeting in 2014 was a close call for the Wolverines. Michigan led the way at the first break 74-57 in Columbus. Three straight wins by Josh Fleagle, Connor McDonald, and Andrew Braun pulled the Buckeyes even with the Wolverines after the 200 breast. Diving played huge for the Buckeyes as Stephen Ettienne picked up the win in both boards. Ohio State would only be able to manage a tie if they finished 1-3 in the 400 free relay. The 'A' team took care of business claiming the win, but Connor Jaeger put away Keanu Stevenson on the 'B' relay allowing Michigan to escape Columbus with a 151-147 victory.
With recent domination by the Wolverines in the Big Ten, two of the most historic swimming programs in the country continue to produce great meets as they are consistently atop the Big Ten standings today.
