Feb. 21, 2008
Day Two Results | 2008 Championship Page
Contact: Gene Natale, Jr.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State remained in third place overall after day two of the Horizon League Championships at Busbey Natatorium. The Vikings won three of four events for the second straight day.
Wright State leads all teams with 295 points, followed by UW-Milwaukee (274) and Cleveland State (240).
After beginning the day in third place overall, the Vikings saw their standing fall to fifth place after the finals in the 500 freestyle. Dominant wins in the remaining three events of the day vaulted the team back into third place by day's end.
"We had a spectacular evening," head coach Wally Morton said, "Overall I have to say that we are very pleased with the effort we have been seeing."
Stephen Grove started off the Vikings' run of wins for the evening by taking the title in the 50 free (20.41 in prelims, 20.71 in finals). His swim in the preliminary heat set a new school record, besting the previous mark that had been set earlier this season by Jakub Dobies (20.70).
"An incredibly close 50 free by Stephen, and he did what he needed to win in the final," Morton said.
Jakub Dobies followed Grove's win with one of his own, in the 200 IM (1:49.82). Dobies was only three-hundreths of a second from setting a new school record in the event. He was also only six-tenths of a second from achieving an NCAA "B" qualifying mark.
The Vikings closed out the night with their third straight relay win of the week, this time in the 400 medley relay. The squad of Todd Winchell, Deni Gasparin, Grove, and Dobies (3:18.55) finished ahead of second place Wright State by two seconds, setting new school, championship, and Horizon League records in the process.
"Our relay team did a great job," Morton said, "Todd Winchell swam the best 100 back time of his life, and Deni, Stephen, and Dobies all swam outstanding splits."
Further standouts for the evening included Deni Gasparin and Mike Marsico. Gasparin finished third in the 200 IM (1:51.21), while Marsico was a winner in the consolation heat of the 50 free (20.98, 9th overall).
"Mike had an incredible win in the consolation finals of the 50 free," Morton said, "He has improved by seven-tenths of a second from last year."
Action resumes Friday (Feb. 22) morning, with swimming prelims at 10:30 a.m., diving prelims at 2:00 p.m. and finals at 6:00 p.m. at Busbey Natatorium. Video broadcast of the final rounds (6:00 p.m.) will be available through the Horizon League Network (at CSUVikings.com) with full commentary.
