Dec. 10, 2002
In their final meet until 2003, the Viking men's swimming and diving team took fourth in the Akron Invitational at Ocasek Natatorium, rewriting record books along the way.
Junior Warren Vickers (Durban, South Africa/Durban) broke the Cleveland State 50 freestyle record swimming the first leg of the 200 freestyle relay in 20.74. Olympian Kris Kirchner set the previous record in 1978, swimming a time of 20.78 as a Viking before transferring to Texas the following season. The 24-year-old mark was the longest-standing top-time in the CSU swimming record books.
Vickers' record opening leg propelled the 200 freestyle relay team to a first-place finish. He also swam his way to victories in the 500 freestyle (4:36.80) and the 200 individual medley (1:51.92), posting Akron Invitational and Ocasek Natatorium records.
Senior Andrew Hancock (Cambridge Gardens, Australia/St. Mary's) shattered the meet record in the 1650 freestyle, swimming a 16:07.04 and topping the previous time by 16.61 seconds.
Junior Niall McGrane (Dublin, Ireland/St. Mary's Rathmines) took first in the 200 fly (1:53.83) and third in the 400 individual medley (4:10.45). Freshman Daniel Thomasson (Sodertalje, Sweeden/Vastergards Gymaslet) took second in the 200 freestyle (1:42.24), while junior Lyle Wilkens (Bloemfontein, South Africa/Grey College) placed third in the 200 back (1:52.89).
Cleveland State also took second in the 400 and 800 freestyle relays, posting times of 3:05.04 and 6:49.68, respectively.
The Vikings will be off until January 9, 2003, when they travel to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational.
