Michigan
Ohio State
Michigan Cruises by Ohio State in Road Tilt
1/18/2020 4:55:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving
» The No. 3-ranked University of Michigan men's swimming and diving team won 12 of 16 events over the 16th-ranked Buckeyes.
» Miles Smachlo took first in both the 100-yard butterfly (47.56) and 200-yard butterfly (1:44.94), while capping off his afternoon leading a 1-2-3 finish in the 200-yard IM (1:48.03).
» Luiz Gustavo Borges bookended the first break with NCAA 'B' cuts in the sprints, winning both the 50-yard freestyle (19.71) and 100-yard freestyle (43.52).
Site: Columbus, Ohio (McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion)
Score: #3 Michigan 190, #16 Ohio State 110
Records: U-M (5-1, 3-1 Big Ten), OSU (4-3, 1-1 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Jan. 31 -- vs. Michigan State - Senior Night (Canham Natatorium), 5 p.m.
• Complete Results (PDF)
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The No. 3-ranked University of Michigan men's swimming and diving team won 12 of 16 events, cruising to a 190-110 road win over No. 16 Ohio State on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 18) at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion.
It was the team's seniors that led the way in the victory. Miles Smachlo took first in both the 100-yard butterfly (47.56) and 200-yard butterfly (1:44.94), while capping off his afternoon leading a 1-2-3 finish in the 200-yard IM (1:48.03). Tommy Cope, a native of nearby Dayton, Ohio, won the 100-yard breaststroke (53.12) and 200-yard breaststroke (1:54.87), garnering NCAA 'B' cuts with both swims, while Felix Auböck led a 1-2-3-4 finish in the 500-yard freestyle (4:21.40). All four swimmers were at the wall six seconds before the first Buckeye was, symbolizing the performance the Wolverines put up on Saturday.
"I saw a team that didn't get rattled and didn't get angry, and I think those two things played a part in our success today," said head coach Mike Bottom. "Our team stepped up in a tough environment on the road against a rival. Just a tremendous fight all the way through."
The men led, 95-36, at the halfway point and never looked back. Junior Luiz Gustavo Borges bookended the first break with NCAA 'B' cuts in the sprints, winning both the 50-yard freestyle (19.71) and 100-yard freestyle (43.52). In the 1,000-yard freestyle, it was juniors Ricardo Vargas (9:10.97) and Will Roberts (9:11.66) well ahead of the pack, touching nearly 15 seconds clear of third-place finisher Bora Unalmis (9:26.13).
A pair of underclassmen also put up prime performances. Sophomore Patrick Callan led wire-to-wire in the 200-yard freestyle, holding off Ohio State All-American Paul Delakis for the win (1:35.44). Sophomore Eric Storms took advantage of some great underwaters to take the 100-yard backstroke (47.72).
"What happened today is indicative of what Michigan does. We develop people," added Bottom, referencing Storms and sophomore Jared Daigle, who was runner-up in the 200-yard backstroke. "They started out last year and largely flew under the radar, but are turning into big-time contributors. They've stepped up big."
The Wolverines also picked up a win in the 200-yard medley relay to begin the meet, as the foursome of Storms, sophomore Will Chan, Smachlo and Borges touched collectively at 1:26.10, winning by a second.
In the diving well, junior Ross Todd led the team on one-meter, finishing second (344.85), while junior Chris Canning was the team's top finisher on three-meter, taking third (375.15).
Michigan will finish the regular season Friday, Jan. 31 when it hosts Michigan State for Senior Night at Canham Natatorium. The combined men's and women's dual meet will begin at 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Players Mentioned
