Feb. 2, 2013
Contact: Jeff Sattora
CHICAGO- A long bus trip and tired legs did nothing to stop the Cleveland State Vikings' men's swimming team Saturday afternoon as they took down the UIC Flames 138-105 in Horizon League action.
The final dual meet of the regular season improved CSU to 13-3-1 on the year, and 3-0 in Horizon League action. The 13 win season makes it 12 consecutive years that the men's squad has had double digit wins.
"It was a real good performance by the men," said Head Coach Wally Mortonfollowing the win. "I never felt like we were going to lose the meet."
"They were very purposeful when they warmed up and I thought they did a great job of adjusting quickly and performing at a high level," he added.
Senior Justin Hill led the way for CSU in the season's final meet, picking up two individual wins as well as one first place relay finish. Individually Hill won both the 50 freestyle (20.92), and 100 freestyle (45.98), and on the relay side he teamed up with Adam Ingledew, Alex Lewis, and Martin Perssonto win the 400 freestyle relay (3:04.33).
Junior Al Shillito was also a triple winner for the Vikings, taking home two individual wins and one relay win. Individually he won both the 200 freestyle (1:44.47) and 200 backstroke (1:54.09). Shillito also joined Brian Ferro, Alex Lewis, and Berry Thompsonto take home a victory in the 400 medley relay (3:25.63).
Other individual winners for CSU were Mark De Swardt in the 1,000 freestyle (9:35.39) and Graham Thoresenin the 500 freestyle (4:39.11).
With three of his four individual winners being seniors (Hill, De Swardt, and Thoresen), Morton knows how important that class his to this group's success.
"This win is a testament to our seniors, they're winners in every single way," Morton said on his outstanding 2013 class.
As the team moves forward and looks ahead to the League Championships held in this same facility, Morton knows that he has a strong group, but they still have work to do.
"We've got a ways to go still, they're really tired from a tough week of training, but in three and a half weeks we'll come back here (to UIC for the League Championships) and light it up," Morton said.
The Vikings will now be off from competition until they travel back to UIC and compete in the Horizon League Championships from February 27th through March 2nd.
