Saturday, November 02, 2002

The Valparaiso University men's swim team finished in third place at the Eastern Illinois Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

The Crusaders tallied 371 points, trailing just Eastern Illinois (629) and IUPUI (431). Lincoln (265) was fourth, followed by Lewis (223), and Butler (205).

Mike Hermes (Hudson, Ill./U-High) was a double-winner for the Brown and Gold. He took home top honors in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.13) and 200 breast (2:13.80), the latter by more than six seconds.

Bob Schmidt (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeview H.S.) recorded a second and pair of third place finishes. He was runner-up in the 100 freestyle, touching the wall in 48.73 seconds. He was earned third place finishes in the 50 free (22.55) and 200 free (1:50.16).

Neal Badgett (Houston, Texas/Strake Jesuit Prep H.S.) finished fouth for the Crusaders in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:08.09.

The 400 free relay of Sean Conrin (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Buffalo Grove H.S.), Schmidt, David Kesler (Beverly Hills, Mich./Birmingham Groves H.S.), and Bob Pederson (Urbana, Ill./Urbana H.S.) earned a runner-up finish for Valpo (3:19.95).

The Crusaders will return to action on Nov. 15 when the Brown and Gold host Wisconsin-Green Bay. The meet begins at 6 p.m.