Feb. 4, 2005
CLEVELAND - Cleveland State came within an hand's reach of topping the reigning Horizon League champion Friday (Feb. 4) night, as the Vikings dropped a 122-115 decision to Wright State at Busbey Natatorium. WSU took home the win in a closely contested battle that wasn't decided until the final event of the night.
CSU held a slim 111-109 advantage heading into the 400 freestyle relay, producing a winner-take-all dual between both school's A teams. The Raiders jumped out to an early lead in the first leg, with Elvis Cirikovic out-pacing Daniel Thomasson to the wall at 45.92 to 46.67. Johan Norling, however, would close the gap in a hurry in the second leg, streaking to a 45.40 100 yard time. Adam Wroblewski kept the race neck-and-neck in the third leg, but the Raiders' Alex Dolgov managed to edge-out Bjorn Schantz in the final length for the win.
"They never gave up. The never said die," men's head coach Wally Morton said on the Vikings performance in the free relay. "We knew Wright State was loaded in that final event, but we stepped up to the challenge and gave them a good fight."
The Vikings and Raiders went through the meet like a 13-round boxing match, with one team jumping ahead in the scoring only to have the other team answer right back in the next event.
With Wright State leading, 60-49, midway through the meet, the Vikings used its diving corps of Thatcher Carr, Dan Baiko and Mike Hanzak to catapult CSU back in front at 65-60. Luke Wilkens would then keep Cleveland State ahead with a win in the 200 butterfly (1:50.41), but Cirikovic put the Raiders back in front at 84-79 with a win in the 100 free (45.67).
The Vikings would answer back, however, thanks to wins by Pieter Pelser and Schantz. Pelser cruised away from his competitors in the 200 back with a 1:48.70, finishing almost six seconds ahead of the runner-up. Schantz would then follow with a dominant swim in the 500 free to propel CSU out into the lead again at 104-97.
WSU would claim the top spot in the ensuing 200 breaststroke, but Dave Duecker and Gabriel Linton would notch a 2-3 showing to keep CSU on top for the 400 free relay.
"This was a well fought meet between two quality programs," Morton said. We went up against a tough opponent that is favored to win it all this year. They won a lot of close races, but I am extremely happy with our performance here tonight."
Schantz finished the meet with wins in both the 500 free and 1,000 free (4:33.59).
Despite not setting a school record for the first time at Busbey Natatorium, Carr still posted strong showings in both the one-meter (346.80) and three-meter events.
Cleveland State will have little time to rest before it hosts UIC tomorrow afternoon (Feb. 5) at 2:00 p.m. Prior to the start of the meet, Viking seniors Wilkens, Linton, Ryan Klaus and Todd Hostutler will be honored for their dedication to the program.
