Michigan
Arizona
Wolverines Defeated By Slim Margin At Arizona
1/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The No. 12-ranked University of Michigan men's swimming and diving team was narrowly defeated by fifth-ranked Arizona 122-121 Friday (Jan. 5) in Tucson, Ariz. The Wolverines also swam in exhibition against California, who is tied as the third-ranked team in the nation. The Wolverines were able to capture the top time in five of the 10 swimming events. The meet was held in long-course meters.
Sophomore Matt Patton (Matthews, N.C./Butler) captured two victories during the competition. In the 800-meter freestyle he was able to clock a time of 8:22.80, more than six seconds ahead of the next competitor. Patton also earned first place in the 400-meter freestyle, touching the wall in 4:03.27. Junior Johnny Austermann (Huntington Woods, Mich./ Berkley) was the next Wolverine to finish in both events, finishing with the third-fastest time in the 800-meter freestyle (8:38.92) and fourth-fastest time in the 400-meter freestyle (4:10.36).
Freshman Scott Spann (Austin, Texas/Westlake) swam to a victory and captured an NCAA Consideration 'B' Time of 2:20.42 in the 200-meter breaststroke. Spann dominated the race, finishing nearly six seconds faster than runner-up Josh Arreguin of Arizona (2:26.19). Junior Grant Burtch (Holland, Mich./Holland) came in third place touching the wall in 2:26.44
The Wolverines dominated the 200-meter butterfly, sweeping the top three spots in the event. Sophomore Curtis Dauw (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East) won the event, clocking 2:08.51. Juniors Alex Vanderkaay (Rochester, Mich./Adams) and Dane Grenda (Hockessin, Del./Salesianum) both finished less than a second behind in second (2:08.85) and third (2:08.92) place, respectively. Grenda was the top Wolverine to finish in the 200-meter individual medley, touching the wall in 2:09.35 -- just 0.48 seconds behind winner Darian Townsend of Arizona.
In addition to Spann, two other Michigan freshmen had excellent showings. Andr Schultz (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Palmares) earned a victory in the 200-meter backstroke after capturing a time of 2:07.60, while Charlie Houchin (Raleigh, N.C./William G. Enloe) captured the second-fastest time in the 200-meter freestyle with a mark of 1:54.84, just more than a second behind California's Dominik Meichtry.
Sophomore Kyle Schroeder (Milan, Mich./Milan) led the Wolverines in both diving events. He finished second in the three-meter dive with a mark of 326.50, just 0.05 points shy of his season high. Schroeder also placed fourth in the one-meter dive with a mark of 293.20. Senior Pat Noyes (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) competed for the first time this season placing eighth in the one-meter (247.15) and ninth in the three-meter (269.60).
Michigan also had two relay teams take the third fastest time in their respective events. In the 400-meter medley relay, the team of Schultz, Spann, freshman Chris Brady (Wilmington, Del./Mount Pleasant) and sophomore Bobby Savulich (Edison, N.J./Saint Joseph) clocked a time of 3:53.97. In the 400-meter freestyle relay, the team of Patton, Houchin, sophomore Evan Ryser (Katy, Texas/James E. Taylor) and Schultz captured a time of 3:32.14.
Michigan will take on both California and Arizona State Saturday (Jan. 6) at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center in Tempe, Ariz. The meet begins at Noon MST.
Contact: Tim Trunzo (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
