Valparaiso opened its 2004-2005 dual meet season on Saturday afternoon, defeating Butler 124-74 at the Athletics-Recreation Center pool.

The Crusaders won six events on the afternoon and used its depth on the way to the victory.

Valpo opened the meet with a victory in the 200 medley relay as Travers Smith (Huntley, Ill./Huntley H.S.), David Peterson (Schererville, Ind./Highland H.S.), Bob Pedersen (Urbana, Ill./Urbana H.S.), and David Kesler (Beverly Hills, Mich./Birmingham Groves H.S.) posted a time of 1:41.93 for a six-second victory.

Pedersen then won the 200 freestyle by nearly four and a half seconds touching the wall in 1:51.08. Kesler posted a victory in the 100 free with his time of 51.55 seconds, while Smith also was an individual winner taking top honors in the 100 back in 55.43 seconds. Peterson won Valpo's final individual event, the 100 breaststroke in 1:02.27.

The Brown and Gold won the meet's final event, the 200 free relay in a time of 1:34.70. Josh Stamper (DeMotte, Ind./Kankakee Valley H.S.), Edward Standen (Saint Joseph, Mich./Saint Joseph H.S.), Mike Stachniak (Oraland Park, Ill./Sandburg H.S.), and Jeff Lange (Woodbridge, Conn./Amity Regional H.S.) orchestrated the win.

Valpo (1-0) will return to the pool in two weeks as the Crusaders head to West Lafayette, Ind. for the Indiana Intercollegiates. The meet begins at 12 p.m.