Saturday, November 01, 2003

The Valparaiso University men's swimming and diving team finished in second place at the Eastern Illinois Invitational on Friday and Saturday in Charleston, Ill.

The Crusaders tallied 411 points in the competition, trailing just the host Panthers who had 649 points. IUPUI was third with 341 points, followed by Butler (337), Millikan (234), and Lincoln (173).

Freshman Travers Smith (Huntley, Ill./Huntley H.S.) led the way for the Brown and Gold with three top-three finishes. The rookie won the 100 backstroke with a time of 54.64 seconds, while finishing runner-up in the 200 back (2:00.04). He also finished third in the 500 freestyle, touching the wall in 4:55.90.

David Peterson (Schererville, Ind./Highland H.S.) also posted three top-three finishes in the meet. The freshman was second in both the 200 individual medley (2:01.63) and 200 breaststroke (2:16.15), while finishing third in the 100 breast (1:02.62).

Bob Schmidt (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville H.S.) also earned three top-four finishes in the competition. The sophomore was second in the 100 freestyle with a time of 48.81 seconds. He also finished third in the 200 free with a mark of 1:48.97, and fourth in the 50 free (22.53 seconds).

Colin Simpson (Rockford, Ill./Auburn H.S.) finished fourth in the 100 backstroke with a time of 56.74 seconds, while earning the same place in the 200 back (2:03.75). Jeff Ewers (Huntertown, Ind./Carroll H.S.) earned the Crusaders' other top-five finish on the weekend, doing so in the 100 breast with a time of 1:03.69.

Valpo will return to the pool on November 14 when the Brown and Gold travel to Lewis for a 5 p.m. meet.