March 1, 2003

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland State men's swimming and diving team used first-place finishes in the opening three events to jump from third to first on the final day of the Horizon League Championships before fading to a final position of third with a score of 672. In the end, Wright State out-battled defending champion UW-Green Bay and the Vikings to take top honors at the Robert F. Busbey Natatorium Saturday evening with final score of 726.

CSU opened up the night with seniors Andrew Hancock and Mauricio Barrios placing 1-2 in the 1650 free with times of 16:02.81 and 16:11.70, respectively. Freshman Pieter Pelser and junior Lyle Wilkens immediately followed posting a 1-2 finish in the 200 back with times of 1:48.62 and 1:49.56, respectively. Men's "Swimmer of the Meet" Warren Vickers continued the Viking burst by recording a top time of 45.10 in the 100 free, helping Cleveland State to a 24-point advantage.

The lead, however, would not hold, as Wright State rallied to take back the top spot in the ensuing three events. A spirited effort by the Viking 400 free relay team led to a Championship record time of 3:00.64 in the finale of the night but would fall short in aiding them in the standings.

Vickers' "Swimmer of the Meet" marks the second year in a row that a Viking has claimed the honor after Hancock received the award last year. In addition to his performance in the 100 free, Vickers also posted top times in the 100 breast and 200 IM, and was a member of the winning 400 and 800 free relay teams.