Ball State University
at Eastern Michigan
Men's Swimming & Diving Fails To Snap EMU's Streak
January 23, 2010 | Men's Swimming and Diving
YPSILANTI, Mich. -- Despite a strong finish, the Ball State men's swimming & diving team could not snap Eastern Michigan's now 52-meet Mid-American Conference home winnings streak, falling to the Eagles by a score of 158-127 Saturday afternoon at EMU's Jones Natatorium.
With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 4-4 (0-2 MAC) in dual meets this season. The Eagles improve to 5-1 (2-0 MAC) with the victory.
EMU dominated the early portion of the meet, with its swimmers winning the first five events. However, Ball State senior Ben Karwoski (Bluffton, Ind./Bluffton H.S.) was able to momentarily shift the momentum to the Cardinals by capturing top billing in the 200 butterfly with a time of 1:56.86.
Ball State followed with a 1-2-3 finish in its strongest event, the 50 freestyle. Seniors Ben Battjes (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Memorial) and Austin Laska (Palos Park, Ill./A.A. Stagg) took the top spots, with times of 21.58 and 21.83, respectively, while sophomore Casey Schroeder (Williamsport, Ind./Seeger Memorial) touched the wall in third at 21.88.
Eastern Michigan responded with wins in the next five events to take control of the meet once again. Ball State followed with wins in the final four events, but it was not enough to battle back for the win. Overall, the Cardinals claimed wins in six of the meets 16 events.
The Cardinals started their final run with sophomore Chris Krupa (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike H.S.) completing a BSU sweep of the butterfly events, winning the 100-yard race with a time of 51.64.
Freshman Quinton Rodriguez (Rockford, Mich./Rockford H.S.) followed with a score of 199.13 to win the three-meter diving competition, while fellow freshman Michael Weber (Lorain, Ohio/Elyria Catholic H.S.) posted a time of 2:01.06 to win the final individual event, the 200 individual medley.
The Cardinals ended the meet with Battjes, Krupa, freshman Devon Hill (Muncie, Ind./Central H.S.) and Laska teaming up to win the 400 freestyle relay with a final touch of 1:25.91.
The Ball State men's swimming & diving team will have a quick turnaround tomorrow, as the Cardinals travel to North Central High School in Indianapolis for a three-team meet which will also feature Eastern Illinois and Valparaiso. The meet, which will be run in conjunction with the women's five-team contest, will be hosted by Butler and start at noon.
Players Mentioned
