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Vikings Gear Up For Horizon League Championships

Vikings Gear Up For Horizon League Championships
Posted: Feb 24, 2009

Contact: Julie Farr DeLima

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Feb. 24, 2009

SETTING THE SCENE: The Cleveland State men's and women's swimming and diving teams travel to the 2009 Horizon League Championships this week. Hosted by Milwaukee, the event takes place in Brown Deer, Wis. at the Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center/YMCA. Competition begins Wednesday, Feb. 25 and the league crowns its champions on Saturday, Feb. 28. See below for the official schedule of events. In 2008-09, the Viking men finished the dual season with a 10-5 record while the women wrapped up the season with an 8-9 overall mark.

HORIZON LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Wednesday, Feb. 25 1:30 p.m. - Prelims of Women's 3-meter diving 7:00 p.m. - Finals of Women's 3-meter diving, 200 free relay, 1,000 free, 200 medley relay

Thursday, Feb. 26 10:30 a.m. - Prelims of 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free 1:30 p.m. - Prelims of men's 1-meter diving 6:30 p.m. - Finals of men's 1-meter diving, 500 free 200 IM, 50 free, 400 medley relay

Friday, Feb. 27 10:30 a.m. - Prelims of 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back 1:30 p.m. - Prelims of women's 1-meter diving 6:30 p.m. - Finals of women's 1-meter diving, 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back, 800 free relay

Saturday, Feb. 28 10:30 a.m. - Prelims of 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly 1:30 p.m. - Prelims of men's 3-meter diving 6:30 p.m. - Finals of men's 3-meter diving, 1,650 free, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, 400 free relay

FOLLOWING THE ACTION: This year, on-demand videos of the final heats can be seen on the Horizon League Network (HLN) shortly after they occur each evening. Access to the events and highlights can be viewed by logging onto www.HorizonLeagueNetwork.tv. HLN will also blog live throughout the event at hlswimdive.blogspot.com. Daily results can be found at both the Horizon League and Milwaukee websites.

MORTON ON THE CSU WOMEN: "Everyone on our team is excited about the progress we have made this year. Now it is important to build on that foundation as we attempt to swim our best times and set school records. The women's team has shown great unity, purpose and hard work in anticipation of moving up in the standings at the Horizon League Championships. In addition, we hope to gain valuable experience with swimmers and divers participating in the finals.

CSU WOMEN'S HISTORY AT THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS: The Vikings have never won a conference crown and have not won an individual event since Samantha Jones won both the 100 and 200 back in 2005. The women are looking to make a significant jump in the rankings this year after one of their most successful seasons in school history. The team finished seventh with 187 points in 2008. A breakdown of the women's individual event wins are below. CSU's women's program picked up its only Horizon League Athlete of the Year award in 2005 when Samantha Jones was selected as the league's best. In 1999, Jen Grabski was tabbed as the league's Swimmer of the Championship Meet and the Vikings have twice earned Diver of the Meet honors when Tiffany Kolat garnered the recognition in both 1998 and 1999. CSU has also had two athletes named the league's Newcomer of the Year with Grabski (1999) and Marianne Lionell (2004) earning the honor.

CSU's Women's Champions By Event 50 Free - 1 100 Free - 1 200 Free - 1 100 Back - 4 200 Back - 2 100 Breast - 1 200 Fly - 1 400 IM - 2 1 m. diving - 2 3 m. diving - 1

WOMEN'S 2008-09 HORIZON LEAGUE SEASON IN REVIEW: TOP PERFORMANCES 50 Free Rachel Majercik, Valparaiso 24.24 100 Free Sarah Wardecke, Milwaukee 52.25 200 Free Carys Behn, Cleveland State 1:52.52 500 Free Olivia Arnold, Youngstown St. 5:03.43 1,000 Free Danielle Wenger, Milwaukee 10:14.43 1,650 Free Danielle Wenger, Milwaukee 17:14.04 100 Fly Ashley Warzon, Green Bay 57.30 200 Fly Kayla Redig, UIC 2:05.59 100 Back Clair Martin, UIC 57.90 200 Back Krystyna Wieczerzak, Wright St. 2:03.98 100 Breast Renee Reindl, Green Bay 1:06.13 200 Breast Sarah Wardecke, Milwaukee 2:21.90 200 IM Bailey Nennig, Milwaukee 2:07.12 400 IM Krystyna Wieczerzak, Wright St. 4:28.73 200 Free Relay Green Bay 1:37.10 400 Free Relay Milwaukee 3:30.62 800 Free Relay Green Bay 7:44.95 200 Medley RelayGreen Bay 1:47.59 400 Medley RelayGreen Bay 3:55.16 1-meter Dive Lauren McGraw, Green Bay 279.95 3-meter Dive Ashley Hall, Milwaukee 293.10

Swimmer of the Week Diver of the Week 10/22 Carys Behn, CSU 10/29 Kelsey Cooper, WSU Lauren McGraw, GBAY 11/5 Molly Pipkorn, WSU Ashley Hall, UWM 11/12 Olivia Arnold, YSU Ashley Hall, UWM 11/19 Sarah Wardecke, UWM Sonia Peterson, UIC 11/26 Ashley Williamson, YSU Sonia Peterson, UIC 12/10 Bailey Nennig, UWM Ashley Hall, UWM 1/21 Shannon Demrow, GBAY Kayla Deters, GBAY 1/28 Danielle Wenger, UWM Lauren McGraw, GBAY 2/4 Clair Martin, UIC 2/11 Danielle DeGrand, GBAY Lauren McGraw, GBAY

THE 2008-09 VIKING WOMEN: Freshmen have the team's top times in 14 of the 17 individual events they swam this year, and in both diving events. Carys Behn has the team's top times in five of the six freestyle events including the 50 (24.39), 100 (52.99), 200 (1:52.52, school record), 500 (5:04.29, school record) and 1,000 (10:23.19, school record) while sophomore Frances Carrion has the top time in the 1,650 (18:20.17). Freshman Maria Culjak has recorded two of the three top times in the backstroke events. Culjak swam a 1:00.10 in the 100 and 2:08.52 in the 200 for the best times of the season. Whitney Hickey has the team's best time in the 50 backstroke (28.38). Rachel Arzadon has been the team's best breaststroker, leading in the 50 (32.12), 100 (1:09.23) and 200 (2:29.58) events. Three different swimmers hold the team's top times in the butterfly events. Splain has the best 50 butterfly time (27.04), followed by Behn in the 100 (58.85) and senior Katie Bellew in the 200 (2:10.06). Behn also holds the team's top time in the 200 IM (2:11.75) while Kristine Bunker has the top time in the 400 IM (4:55.30). In the diving events, freshman Kacey Cummings has recorded season-bests in both the 1-meter (256.50) and 3-meter (268.12) events this season.

VIKING WOMEN TO WATCH (4+ Wins This Season): Carys Behn, Fr., Westville, South Africa (Maris Stella); Described by Coach Morton as "happy, hard working and a great athlete" • Earned marks among CSU's all-time Top-10 times in seven different events with three school records. Set new school records in the 200 free (1:52.52 on Nov. 25), 500 free (5:04.29 on Jan. 24) and 1,000 free (10:23.19 on Jan. 16). Has school's fourth-fastest time in 100 fly (58.85 on Jan. 16), fifth-fastest time in 100 free (52.99 on Jan. 24), sixth-fastest time in 50 free (24.39 on Nov. 25) and eighth-fastest time in 200 IM (2:11.75 on Oct. 31). • Named Horizon League Swimmer of the Week in October. • Comes into Horizon League Championships after winning 11 straight dual meet events and 20 of her last 22 events. Her last dual event came on Jan. 16 against Oakland in the 1,000 free, but her time was a new school record.

Maria Culjak, Fr., Zagreb, Croatia (V. Gimnazija); Heading into final meet, Coach Morton is ""looking forward to seeing how fast she can swim at the end of the year" • Earned marks among CSU's all-time Top-10 times in two different events. Has school's seventh-fastest times in both the 100 back (1:00.10 on Jan. 16) and 200 back (2:08.52 on Jan. 16). • Picked up three individual dual wins this season and member of five winning freestyle relays, anchoring four. Coming off six Top-3 finishes in the month of February including two wins and three runner-up finishes.

Emily Splain, Fr., Cleveland, Ohio (Westlake); Described by Coach Morton as "a joy to have on the team. She is happy, hard-working, an outstanding student and is becoming a true athlete" • Earned marks among CSU's all-time Top-10 times in four different events. Has school's sixth-fastest time in the 100 fly (59.92 on Nov. 25), ninth-fastest time in the 100 back (1:00.69 on Oct. 25) and the 10th-fastest times in the 200 free (1:56.52 on Dec. 6) and 200 back (2:13.16 on Nov. 1). • Won three individual events this season and member of five winning relays. Picked up wins in all three of her events at the City College Championships on Nov. 11 - the 200 free, 100 back and also swam the third leg of the winning 200 medley relay.

Others To Watch: • Freshman Rachel Arzadon recorded the ninth-fastest times in school history in both the 100 breast (1:09.23) and 200 breast (2:29.58) this season. • The women's 200 free relay swam the second-fastest time in school history on Dec. 5 with a time of 1:38.23. The team was comprised of Carys Behn, Emily Splain, Kristine Bunker and Whitney Hickey. • Sophomores Erin Green and Frances Carrion hold all-time Top-10 times in the 1,650 freestyle. • Senior Katie Bellew set the school's 100 butterfly record in 2006 and will aim to keep the record in her name while improving on her fourth-fastest time in school history in the 200 fly and her Top-10 times in the breaststroke events and 200 IM. • Kristine Bunker has recorded Top-10 CSU times in both the 100 and 200 fly.

MORTON ON THE CSU MEN: "The team has excellent quality this year. Two of our swimmers, Mark deSwardt and Jakub Dobies, have a legitimate chance to participate in the toughest meet to quality for in the world - the NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships. We also have two other individual school record holders in Stephen Grove and Todd Winchell that form the core of the team. Marko Milenkovic has had his best year in swimming as a senior and will perform well. For the team to live up to expectations everyone must swim their best times and be willing to swim in any event necessary to score points. Team success is based on an unselfish attitude and complete trust in each other.

CSU MEN HISTORY AT THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS: The Vikings have won three conference crowns on the men's side and a title in 2009 would secure the team its second in the last four years. CSU's previous titles came in 1998, 1999 and 2006. The Vikings have earned at least two individual titles in every event since joining the league in 1994 . In 2008, the Vikings finished second with 643 points. A breakdown of individual event wins are below. The Vikings have been particularly strong in the 500 free, winning eight of the last 11 titles including seven straight from 1998-2004. In the 1,650 free, CSU has won eight of the last 12 and took seven straight from 1997 to 2003. In the backstroke events, the Vikings have won four of the last five 100 back races and six of the last nine 200 back titles. In the breaststroke, a CSU swimmer has won both the 100 and 200 events the last two seasons and CSU also took the 200 IM in 2008. In diving, CSU has been nearly untouchable in the last five seasons, winning five straight 1-meter and four straight 3-meter competitions. In the relays, the Vikings have won the last two 200 medley relays, five straight (and six of the last seven) 400 medley relays and in the 800 freestyle relay CSU put together a string that included eight of 10 wins from 1997 to 2006. CSU has also been recognized consistently with league post-season awards. Four of the last five Horizon League Athletes of the Year have been Vikings - Warren Vickers (2004), Pieter Pelser (2005), Bjorn Schantz (2006), Jakub Dobies (2008) - and Wally Morton has earned Horizon League Coach of the Year honors three times (1997, 1999, 2006). Head Diving Coach Rich Karban has earned the league's Diving Coach of the Year award in each of his five seasons with the Vikings. The league, which first honored a Diving Coach of the Year in 2004, has never honored anyone but Karban (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008). The Vikings have also had their fair share of the Horizon League's Newcomer of the Year selections including Julian Dooley (1995), Henrick Wahlberg (1997), Chris Dalman (2007) and Deni Gasparin (2008). Individually, CSU has had three and four-time champions in a single event five times and Jakub Dobies could make it six with a win another win in the 100 breast this year. Dobies, a junior, won the event in each of his first two seasons. Henk Markgraaff (1997, 1998, 2000) and assistant coach Andrew Hancock (2001, 2002, 2003) both won the 1,650 free three times during their careers. Pieter Pelser, a specialist in the backstroke, won seven titles in the two events, three in the 100 back (2004, 2005, 2006) and four in the 200 back (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006). Warren Vickers was also a three-time winner for the Vikings in the 200 IM (2002, 2003, 2004).

CSU Men's Champions By Event 50 Free - 2 100 Free - 3 200 Free - 3 500 Free - 8 1,000 Free - 2 1,650 Free - 8 100 Back - 4 200 Back - 6 100 Breast - 7 200 Breast - 3 100 Fly - 2 200 Fly - 4 200 IM - 7 400 IM - 4 1 m. diving - 6 3 m. diving - 5 200 Free Relay - 2 400 Free Relay - 3 800 Free Relay - 8 200 Medley Relay - 2 400 Medley Relay - 7

MEN'S 2008-09 HORIZON LEAGUE SEASON IN REVIEW: TOP PERFORMANCES 50 Free Zach Fisher, Wright State 20.55 100 Free Hermanus Botha, Wright State 45.15 200 Free Danny Munoz, Wright State 1:39.70 500 Free Mark deSwardt, Cleveland State 4:27.12 1,000 Free Mark deSwardt, Cleveland State 9:05.64 1,650 Free Mark deSwardt, Cleveland State 15:20.75 100 Fly Todd Winchell, Cleveland State 48.80 200 Fly Mark deSwardt, Cleveland State 1:50.16 100 Back Todd Winchell, Cleveland State 51.33 200 Back Jeremy Waldhart, Milwaukee 1:51.57 100 Breast Jakub Dobies, Cleveland State 55.92 200 Breast Davynn Peffer, Wright State 2:02.65 200 IM Nathan Demchuk, Wright State 1:53.00 400 IM Mark deSwardt, Cleveland State 3:57.41 200 Free Relay Cleveland State 1:21.56 400 Free Relay Wright State 3:02.69 800 Free Relay Wright State 6:45.85 200 Medley RelayWright State 1:32.28 400 Medley RelayCleveland State 3:24.47 1-meter Dive Caleb Nettleton, Wright State 290.95 3-meter Dive Caleb Nettleton, Wright State 317.77

Swimmer of the Week Diver of the Week 10/29 Mark deSwardt, CSU Caleb Nettleton, WSU 11/5 T.J. Collins, WSU Wilson Robinson, GBAY 11/12 Will Ikeda, UIC Brandon Kuntz, GBAY 11/19 Mark deSwardt, CSU Brandon Kuntz, GBAY 11/26 Evan Dunn, UIC Kurtis Malone, Valpo 12/10 Mark deSwardt, CSU Brandon Kuntz, GBAY 1/21 Todd Winchell, CSU Wilson Robinson, GBAY 1/28 Mark deSwardt, CSU Caleb Nettleton, WSU 2/4 Zach Fisher, WSU 2/11 Mark deSwardt, CSU Daniel Pogue, GBAY

THE 2008-09 VIKING MEN: A conference contender for the last 35 seasons with 18 championships since 1974, the CSU men enter the 2008-09 season poised to make a run at its second Horizon League title in four seasons. All the pieces are in place including Nedim Nisic, a 2008 Summer Olympian, and Jakub Dobies, a two-time NCAA Championship competitor. Heading into the Horizon League Championships, seven different athletes are listed with top times in the swimming events this season. In the freestyle events, junior Jakub Dobies leads the way in the 50 (20.70) and 100 (45.50) while freshman Mark deSwardt has recorded the top times in the 200 (1:42.11), 500 (4:27.12), 1,000 (9:05.64, school record) and 1,650 (15:20.75). In the backstroke, senior Nedim Nisic leads the team in the 50 (23.31) with junior Todd Winchell heading the 100 (51.33) while freshman Colin Hanner has the team's top time in the 200 (1:53.44). Dobies has also recorded the Vikings' top time in the 50 (25.78) and 100 breaststroke (55.92) while senior Marko Milenkovic is tops in the 200 (2:04.97). Grove has the team's top time in the 50 fly (22.95) while Winchell has the team's top 100 fly (48.80, school record) and deSwardt leads the 200 (1:50.16). In the IM events, Dobies leads the Vikings in the 200 (1:53.55) while deSwardt is at the top of the 400 IM list (3:57.41). Freshman Matt DiMasso leads the diving events, with season-best scores in both the 1-meter (252.90) and 3-meter (242.85) events.

VIKING MEN TO WATCH (4+ Wins This Season): Zvonimir Androic, So., Zabok, Croatia (Zabok Gymnasium); Described by Coach Morton as "having great potential and is the most technically knowledgeable swimmer on the team" • Won at least one individual event during five duals this season, all in the backstroke. Swam leadoff leg of four different winning medley relays teams, including a win over Green Bay. Picked up win in 200 back against Horizon League opponent UIC in final event of regular season and on Oct. 29, led a sweep of Viking podium finishes in the 200 back against Green Bay. • Placed fifth in 200 back and seventh in 200 fly at 2008 Horizon League Championships.

Mark deSwardt, Fr., Durban, South Africa (Westville Boys); Described by Coach Morton as "a polite, hard-working and very positive athlete" • Earned marks among CSU's all-time Top-10 times in five different events with one school record. Set new school record in the 1,000 free (9:05.64 on Jan. 24), which was also a Horizon League record. Has school's second-fastest times in both the 1,650 free (15:20.75 on Dec. 7) and 400 IM (3:57.41 on Feb. 6), the third-fastest time in the 500 free (4:27.12 on Dec. 5) and the fourth-fastest time in the 200 fly (1:50.16 on Feb. 7). • Named Horizon League Swimmer of the Week five times. • Swam an NCAA "B" cut time in the 1,650 free (15:20.75) to finish sixth at the Ohio State Invitational in December in his first mile swim of the year. • Won all three of his events in six different meets, won two events in five duals and recorded at least one win on all 12 dual dates. Won 29 of the 34 individual races he's participated in. • Undefeated in 10 dual swims of the 1,000 free and has won nine of 10 swims in the 500 free. His only loss in the 500 free was to Ohio State. Also undefeated in three 200 IM tries and has won four of five 200 fly races. • Comes into Horizon League Championships after winning 10 straight dual meet events and 20 of his last 23 events. His last dual event loss came on Jan. 16 against Oakland in the 200 free.

Matt DiMasso, Fr., Cincinnati, Ohio (Sycamore); Described by Coach Morton as "an outstanding student and great diver who loves the sport" • Enters the Horizon League Championships on a roll that includes wins in both 1-meter diving competitions in CSU's two February duals. Won four 1-meter competitions and two 3-meter competitions this season.

Jakub Dobies, Jr., Plock, Poland; Described by Coach Morton as a "hard worker in practice who puts the team first. He will swim very fast at the Horizon League Championships" • Earned marks among CSU's all-time Top-10 times in the 50 free this season, swimming the second-fastest time in school history (20.70 on Dec. 5) at the Ohio State Invitational. Won at least two individual events during four dual meets this season, including winning all three of his events against Canisius on Oct. 31. Solid month of February included three individual wins over Horizon League opponents (100 breast, 200 IM, 100 free) and one win as a member of the 200 free relay. • One of the top breaststrokers in Cleveland State history and a two-time NCAA Division I Championships qualifier. Finished 22nd in the 100 breast at the NCAA Championships last year and was one of just 13 swimmers to earn Mid-Major All-America honors. As a freshman he qualified in the 100 breast. • Horizon League's Athlete of the Year after winning the 200 IM and 100 breast and placing second in the 100 free. Was a three-time Swimmer of the Week selection in 2008. • Recorded school records in 100 free (44.62), 100 breast (53.64) during 2007-08 season. Horizon League Newcomer of the Year as a freshman after being a part of five conference titles. Set school and Horizon League records in 100 and 200 breast at league championships.

Stephen Grove, Jr., West Chester, Ohio (Lakota East); Described by Coach Morton as "a great student who has been one of the best sprint swimmers in the history of the program" • Set new school record in the 100 fly (48.80 on Dec. 6) at the Ohio State Invitational. Won at least one individual event in seven different duals and won all three of his races twice (Oct. 25 vs. Green Bay and Nov. 11 at the City College Championships). Also won both of his events against Valparaiso on Feb. 6. • Named to ESPN The Magazine's all-district second-team in the men's at-large category during the 2008 season. • In 2007-08 was part of five school records at the Horizon League Championships. , setting a new mark in the 50 free (20.41) and 100 fly (48.86) and was a member of three school record-setting relays.

Marko Milenkovic, Sr., Nis, Serbia & Montenegro (Gimnazija); Coach Morton says he "has had his best year of training and is supremely confident of performing at his best" • Recorded two new Top-10 times this season with the seventh-fastest 200 breast (2:04.97 on Jan. 24) and the eighth-fastest time in the 100 breast (56.66 on Dec. 6) in school history. Also swam eighth-fastest 400 IM (4:04.08 on Dec. 6) at the Ohio State Invitational. • Nine individual wins this season, including two vs. Valparaiso on Feb. 6 (50 free, 100 back) and led a CSU podium finish in the 200 breast at Green Bay on Oct. 25. Runner-up finishes three times against Ohio State in the 50 free, 50 fly and 200 medley relay. • Placed fifth in 200 breast at 2008 league championships and member of winning 400 medley relay team in 2007. Member of 2006 800 free relay team that broke the meet record and set a new CSU mark at the Horizon League Championships.

Nedim Nisic, Sr., Tuzla, Bosnia (Gymnasium Mesa Selimovic); Coach Morton calls Nisic's career "a wonderful story of realizing your dream of being an Olympian. He is going into the conference not 100 percent physically but will give it his best in every possible way" • Six individual wins this season, wins in all three of his events against Xavier on Jan. 10 (200 medley relay, 100 free, 200 free relay) and the City College Championships on Nov. 11 (50 free, 100 free and 200 free relay). Also won both events against Canisius on Oct. 31 (200 IM, 200 free relay). • As a prelude to his senior season at CSU, Nedim Nisic represented Bosnia at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He competed in the 100 butterfly, swimming in the second of nine heats in the event. He finished seventh in his heat with a time of 57.16, becoming the first active swimmer in CSU history to make an appearance in the Olympic Games. • Three Top-6 finishes at 2008 Horizon League Championships and three Top-10 finishes in 2007. Swam backstroke leg of winning 200 and 400 medley relay teams in 2007. As a freshman, member of 400 medley and 800 free relay champions.

Todd Winchell, Jr., Rochester, New York (Greece Athena); Coach Morton calls Winchell "one of our best and most versatile swimmers and he is getting better every year" • Set new CSU school record in the 100 fly at the Ohio State Invitational on Dec. 6 (48.80). The swim, which came against some of the top athletes in the country, also earned him a fifth-place finish. • Named Horizon League Swimmer of the Week in January. • Picked up two wins during CSU's sweep of Xavier on Jan. 10, winning the 100 butterfly and 200 free while helping CSU to a win in the 200 medley relay. • Three Top-10 finishes at 2008 Horizon League Championships including win in 100 back and was member of school's record-setting 200 and 400 medley relay teams.

Others to Watch • The 200 free relay team swam the second-fastest time in school history on Dec. 5 at the Ohio State Invitational when Jakub Dobies, Stephen Grove, Nedim Nisic and Mike Marsico paired up for a time of 1:21.56. • Sophomore Deni Gasparin returns after swimming the second-fastest 200 breast time and fifth-fastest 200 IM time in school history during the 2008 season. Named league's Newcomer of the Year in 2008 after winning the 200 breast, taking second in the 10 breast and third in the 200 IM. Was member of school record-setting 200 free and 400 medley relay teams.

HORIZON LEAGUE CHAMPIONS RETURNING: 2008 Returning Champions - Men's 200 Free Relay (Dobies, Grove, Gasparin, Marsico) Men's 200 Medley Relay (Winchell, Dobies, Grove) 200 IM - Jakub Dobies 50 Free - Stephen Grove 400 Medley Relay (Winchell, Gasparin, Grove, Dobies)** 100 Breast - Jakub Dobies 100 Back - Todd Winchell 200 Breast - Deni Gasparin

2007 Returning Champions - 200 Medley Relay (Nisic, Dobies, Grove) 400 Medley Relay (Nisic, Dobies, Milenkovic) 100 Breast - Jakub Dobies** 200 Breast - Jakub Dobies**

2006 Returning Champions - 400 Medley Relay (Nisic, Dobies, Milenkovic)

** Horizon League Championship Record

MORTON SECURES 250TH WIN: CSU head coach Wally Morton hit another milestone in his accomplished coaching career on Jan. 24 when the Viking men knocked off Wright State in dual action. During the 133-108 win, Morton recorded his 250th dual win with the men, the most of all active Horizon League men's coaches. Green Bay's Jim Merner is the only other action league coach to join Morton with 200+ dual victories. Merner is a combined 214-135-1 with the Phoenix men and women. In his career, Morton Is 251-138-1 with the Viking men's program In 36 seasons and has a 12-19 record in two years with the women for a combined mark of 263-157-1.

MORTON'S THOUGHTS ON THIS YEAR'S LEADERSHIP: With Beijing Olympian Nedim Nisic, two-time NCAA Division I qualifier Jakub Dobies and one of the top distance swimmers in the nation, Mark deSwardt, this is one of the most decorated and accomplished groups of swimmers in CSU history. Our relays are very strong but our weakness is in numbers, health and depth. Co-captains Stephen Grove and Volkmar Baur are straight-A students who lead by example both in the classroom and in the pool. The women have had outstanding senior leadership. Our seniors are proud of their team, excited about how far we have come this year and enjoying their last chance to be a college athlete. Our goal is to represent the University In a first-class way, enjoy the opportunity to compete and the highest level and have no regrets.

MEN'S & WOMEN'S HEAD COACH: Wally Morton (Miami, OH, '70) AT CSU: (as men's coach): 251-138-1 (28 years); (as women's coach): 12-19 (2nd year) Morton, who is in his second season as the head coach of the women's program and his 28th season as the head men's coach, has led the Vikings to 12 conference championships and 25 winning seasons in his 28 years at the helm of the men's program. Morton, who also serves as CSU's Director of Aquatics, has led the Vikings to eight straight seasons of 10 or more dual meet victories and one of his men's swimmers has earned the league's Male Swim Athlete of the Year award in five of the last six seasons.

NEXT UP: Vikings qualifiers for the NCAA Division I Championships will begin compete at Texas A&M. The women's championships run March 19-21 while the men's championships are set for March 26-28.