MENS SWIMMING: Swimmers take 2 of 3 in Texas
By LISA REIJULA
Sports Writer
Eighteen hours after a close loss to Texas Christian Friday, the Notre Dame men's swimming and diving team rebounded for a convincing victory over TCU and Centenary.
The Irish improved their record to 4-2 with the 121.5-102.5 win over TCU and a 100-84 win over Centenary in Fort Worth, Texas Saturday.
On Friday evening, the outcome of meet came down to the final relay. The Irish had a strong performance and led for most of the contest.
Notre Dame won five events convincingly, but TCU came back to take a one-point lead.
After TCU's rally, Notre Dame answered with victories in the 500 freestyle, as Matt Bertke (4:41.70), J.R. Teddy, and Patrick Davis swept the top spots.
However, the Horned Frogs got the win with a one-two finish in the final 200 freestyle relay, beating the Irish 117-105.
For the Irish, Jason Fitzpatrick won the 100 breaststroke (58.68) and freshman Tyler Grenda was second. Fellow rookie Jamie Lutkus took first in the 400 individual medley.
Teddy led a strong Irish group in the 200 butterfly, winning in 1:54.20. In the 100 freestyle, Frank Krakowski and Tim Randolph finished one-two for the Irish.
After the loss, the Irish came back strong on Saturday afternoon.
"We wanted to prove to ourselves and the other team that we were the better team, so we come out with a really positive attitude," said junior Matt Obringer.
The Irish avenged their defeat in style, dominating the majority of events. Davis was first in the 1,650 freestyle. Obringer won the 200 freestyle, followed by freshmen Lutkus in third and Patrick O'Berry in fifth.
In diving, Joe Miller earned a second place finish with 265.50.
When TCU pulled closer with victories in the 50 free and 100 butterfly, a repeat of Friday's comeback seemed possible.
However, Obringer put the Irish back on top with a win in the 100 freestyle. A one-two-three finish in the 200 breaststroke by Grenda, Lutkus, and David Moisan gave Notre Dame a comfortable lead.
Relays made the difference for the Irish. Victories in the 400 freestyle and 400 medley races provided valuable double points.
Obringer was pleased with the Irish's performance in the pool.
"It was a great team effort and we kept working hard," he said. "Everyone from the freshmen to the seniors showed team commitment and that was really good to see and motivating for us."
The meet was the first contest in which the Irish swam two days back-to-back.
Notre Dame next faces Purdue at home on Friday at 6 p.m.
All Sports Stories for Monday, November 18, 2002
