Mens Swimming: Up-and-down weekend for Irish in series split
By LISA REIJULA
Sports Writer
It was one step forward, one step back for the Notre Dame mens swimming and diving team this weekend, as the Irish (6-7) handily defeated Cleveland State 156-85 on Friday, then lost a close contest 125-118 to St. Bonaventure Saturday.
At Cleveland State, the Irish showed their all-around talent, as seven different swimmers contributed to the team's 10 event victories. The Irish divers came through, claiming the top three spots in both competitions. Senior Andy Maggio won both the one-meter and three-meter contests.
The Irish 400 medley relay team was also victorious, as the team of Tim Randolph, Doug Bauman, Matt Obringer, and Frank Krakowski touched first in 3:28.47. Randolph also won the 100 free, Bauman the 200 backstroke, and Obringer took first in the 200 freestyle.
Continuing the dominance for the Notre Dame were first-place finishers David Moisan (200 IM), Jason Fitzpatrick (200 breaststroke), Patrick Davis (1650 free), J.R. Teddy (200 butterfly).
The dual meet against St. Bonaventure Saturday came down to the last event of the day. The Bonnies came out strong to start the meet, winning the 400 medley relay, 1000 freestyle, and 200 free. Second place finishes by Obringer (1000 free), Teddy (200 free), and Jamie Lutkus (200 IM) kept the Irish close.
Notre Dame's diving trio of Maggio, Tong Xie, and Joe Miller placed second, third and fourth in the 3-meter event to earn the team points. Maggio went on to win the one-meter event.
The Irish gained momentum and began a rally in the second half of the meet. Teddy won the 200 butterfly, and Bauman led an Irish sweep in the 200 back. With two events to go, the Irish held a 105-102 lead.
St. Bonaventure answered with victories in the 500 freestyle and the 200 breaststroke, ensuring that the winner of the final relay would win the meet.
In the 400 freestyle relay, the Bonnies touched first in 3:07.44, just barely edging out Notre Dame's 3:07.52 finish.
"When you're on the road and it comes down the last event, it can be hard to beat another team in their own pool," said Bauman. "Saturday we didn't win the close races like we did Friday [against Cleveland State]. The whole team needs to swim well to have the positive results we want."
The Irish will next face Oakland on the road Saturday in the last dual meet of the season.
Bauman believes that the Irish will benefit from their schedule.
"It's good experience and important to have away meets even if we don't win them, so that we're ready for Big East," Bauman said.
All Sports Stories for Monday, February 3, 2003
