Valparaiso's men's swimming and diving team opened its 2004-2005 season on Friday evening finishing fifth at the Dennis Stark Relays held in Notre Dame, Ind.

The Crusaders scored 100 points in the meet, just six shy of fourth place Cleveland State in the six team field. Notre Dame took home the championship with 248 points.

Valpo finished third in the 800 freestyle relay as the team of Mike Stachniak (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg H.S.), Eric Girard (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais Community H.S.), David Kesler (Beverly Hills, Mich./Birmingham Groves H.S.), and Bob Pedersen (Urbana, Ill./Urbana H.S.) touched the wall in 7:49.57.

The Crusaders were also third in the 400 butterfly relay with Travers Smith (Huntley, Ill./Huntley H.S.), Alan Regetz (Sugar Land, Texas/Larar Consolidated H.S.), David Peterson (Schererville, Ind./Highland H.S.), and Pedersen finishing with a time of 3:47.93.

Stachniak, Greg Stock (Kirkwood, Mo./Kirkwood H.S.), Girard, and Smith also finished third in the 400 backstroke relay with a time of 3:587.10, while the highest finish by the Brown and Gold came in the 400 breaststroke relay. Peterson, Scott Dueball (Des Plaines, Ill./Maine West H.S.), Stock, and Patrick Kirby (Danville, Ill./Schlarman H.S.) trailed just Notre Dame finishing with a mark of 4:32.35 to earn runner-up honors.

Valpo also finished third in the 200 medley relay as Girard, Dueball, Regetz, and Edward Standen (Saint Joseph, Mich./Saint Joseph H.S.) finished with a time of 1:50.89.

The Crusaders will open the dual meet portion of their schedule in two weeks, hosting Butler at the Athletics-Recreation Center in a 1 p.m. meet.