Friday, February 17, 2006

Valparaiso's 800 free relay team smashed the previous school record by almost six seconds as the Crusaders competed on day two of the Mid-Continent Conference Championships Friday in Indianapolis, Ind.

The team of Dave Peterson (Schererville, Ind./Highland H.S.), Bob Pedersen (Urbana, Ill./Urbana H.S.), Travers Smith (Huntley, Ill./Huntley H.S.), and Adam Jajtner (Port Washington, Wis./Port Washington H.S.) touched the wall in 7:01.42, good for a runner-up finish in the event. The previous record of 7:07.34 was set at last year's Mid-Con Championships.

Peterson also moved into second in the Crusader record books in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 59.00 seconds, finishing fifth in the event. Smith also posted a sixth-place finish in the 100 butterfly, narrowly missing his own school record as he finished in 51.43 seconds.

Travis Thames (Tucson, Ariz./Canyon Del Oro H.S.) recorded the best indivudal Crusader finish on the day, placing fourth in the 100 backstroke. His time of 52.89 seconds moved him into third on Valpo's all-time chart. Smith finished eighth in the same event with a time of 54.05 seconds.

The Crusaders sit in sixth place at the championships after two out of three days of competition, having tallied 200 points. Oakland leads the team scoring with 692 points.

Valparaiso returns to the pool Saturday, February 18, for the final day of action at the championships. The morning session begins at 9 a.m.