Saturday, February 18, 2006

Valparaiso's swimmers broke two school records Saturday, marking five new records over the three-day meet, as the Crusaders concluded their season at the Mid-Continent Conference Championships in Indianapolis, Ind.

Travis Thames (Tucson, Ariz./Canyon Del Oro H.S.) set a new standard in the 200 backstroke, coming home in 1:54.91, breaking teammate Travers Smith's (Huntley, Ill./Huntley H.S.) former record by over a second. Thames' time was good for a fourth place finish in the event.

Smith quickly set another new record to replace the one that was broken, coming home fifth in the 200 butterfly with a mark of 1:55.53. Smith now holds the top times in both the 100 and 200 fly events. Ansel Hillmer (Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough H.S.) placed 11th in the 200 fly in 2:00.04, fourth-best in Valpo history.

Two other Valpo swimmers moved into second in the Crusader record books in their respective events Saturday. David Peterson (Schererville, Ind./Highland H.S.) finished third in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:09.17.

Adam Jajtner (Port Washington, Wis./Port Washington H.S.) led three Crusaders competing in the 1650 freestyle, covering the course in 16:46.01, good for seventh place. Jajtner's mark was just 1.9 seconds off of the school record. Dan Cisek (Willowbrook, Ill.) and Bob Pedersen (Urbana, Ill./Urbana H.S.) moved into third and sixth, respectively, all-time at Valpo in the event.

Valparaiso posted 303 points over the three-day meet, comprised of the seven Mid-Con schools, including two associate members. Oakland captured the team championship with 1013 points.

TEAM TOTALS

1) Oakland 1013 pts.
2) IUPUI 480
3) Western Illinois 433.5
4) Eastern Illinois 421.5
5) Centenary 344
6) Valparaiso 303
7) South Dakota State 254