Thursday, December 05, 2002

The Valparaiso University men's swim team is in fourth place after the opening day of the Mid-Continent Conference Swimming and Diving Championships on Thursday evening. The meet is being held at Oakland University in Rochester, Mich.

Oakland is leading through two events with 91 points, followed by IUPUI with 83 points. Western Illinois is third with 66, with Valpo tallying 41 on day one.

Neal Badgett (Houston, Texas/Strake Jesuit Prep H.S.) finished in eighth place in the 1650 freestyle with a time of 17:16.28 as the Crusaders lone competitor in the event. The time was more than 30 seconds faster than his previous best this season, and ranks fourth all-time at Valparaiso.

In the other event contested on Thursday, the 800 freestyle relay team of David Kesler (Beverly Hills, Mich./Birmingham Groves H.S.), Mike Hermes (Hudson, Ill./U-High), Badgett, and Bob Schmidt (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville H.S.) placed fourth with a time of 7:13.66. The time marks the fifth best in Crusaders history.

Valpo will take to the pool again on Friday for day two of the three day meet. Preliminary heats will begin at 9 a.m. CST with finals starting at 5 p.m. CST.