Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Host Iowa in Final Dual of Season
2/7/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Feb. 7, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - With the Big Ten Championships just three weeks away, the Northwestern men's swimming and diving team faces its final dual meet preparation this weekend as Iowa makes the trip to the Norris Aquatics Center. The meet gets underway with the first session beginning at 6 p.m. Friday night. Session Two is slated for 11 a.m. Saturday morning.
Both the Wildcats and the Hawkeyes are facing their final opportunity to pick up a Big Ten dual win this season. NU enters the meet at 4-7 overall and 0-5 in the Big Ten. Meanwhile, Iowa is 3-4 in overall dual meet action and 0-4 against conference foes.
Despite dropping a 153-132 decision at No. 4 Michigan last Friday, Northwestern saw several swimmers exhibit their top performances of the season. Kellan O'Connor (Phoenix, Ariz./Brophy Preparatory) improved on his NCAA "B" cut times in winning both the 100 and 200 butterfly against the Wolverines. He is currently ranked first in the Big Ten in the 200 fly and second in the 100.
In addition, the 400 medley relay squad shaved nearly three seconds off its top time of the season during its second-place finish. The team's time of 3:19.77 is the 25th-fastest performance in the country this season.
Iowa is led by senior Chris Brunson, a transfer from Minnesota, who holds the Big Ten's fifth-fastest time in the 100 breaststroke. Junior Jason Snider ranks seventh in the 100 fly and eighth in the 200.
The Hawkeyes are coming off a 169-95 home dual victory over Truman State last Saturday.
Saturday's session will feature a tribute to Northwestern's three seniors who will be swimming in the final home meet of their careers. O'Connor, Mike Shue (Fort Myers, Fla./Fort Myers) and David Hersh (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) will be honored.
