Ball State University
Miami
Men's Swimming & Diving Suffers 140-97 Setback To Miami
February 07, 2010 | Men's Swimming and Diving
MUNCIE, Ind. - Despite wins in five of 13 events, the Ball State men's swimming & diving team suffered a 140-97 league setback versus Miami to end the 2009-10 regular season Saturday afternoon at the Lewellen Aquatic Center.
The Cardinals, who fall to 6-5 (0-3 MAC) with the loss, will spend the next three-and-a-half weeks preparing for the 2009-10 Mid-American Conference Championships which will be hosted by Eastern Michigan March 4-6.
In addition to the five event wins, the Cardinals scored 15 top-three efforts in Saturday's loss to the RedHawks (4-6-1/1-4 MAC).
The Cardinals looked poised to take control of the meet early, as senior Adam Dale (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg H.S.), sophomore Gavin McNeeley (North Manchester, Ind./Manchester H.S.), sophomore Chris Krupa (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike H.S.) and freshman Devon Hill (Muncie, Ind./Central H.S.) took home first place in the 400 medley relay with a time of 3:33.74.
Unfortunately, Miami responded with wins in the next three events to take a 47-24 lead.
Ball State responded with a top three sweep of the 50 freestyle, as seniors Ben Battjes (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Memorial H.S.), Austin Laska (Palos, Park, Ill./A.A. Stagg H.S.) and Ryan Misener (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Memorial H.S.) placed first (21.52), second (21.57) and third (22.30), respectively, in the event.
Sophomore Andrew Hostetler (Vincennes, Ind./Jasper H.S.) followed with a first-place showing in the 400 individual medley (4:13.73), the help the Cardinals cut the gap to nine at 59-50.
However, Miami would go on to win the next five events to build an insurmountable lead at 128-73.
Ball State concluded the meet with a McNeeley win in the 200 breaststroke (2:12.52) and a 200 freestyle relay (1:25.64) victory by Battjes, Hill, Casey Schroeder (Williamsport, Ind./Seeger Memorial) and Laska.
In addition to their event wins, Battjes placed second in the 100 freestyle (47.64) and Hostetler earned second in the 500 freestyle (4:48.38).
Prior to Saturday's meet, the Cardinals honored its out-going 2009-10 senior class who were swimming in their final meet at the Lewellen Aquatic Center. BSU seniors include: Battjes, Dale, Tyler Dixon (Jeffersonville, Ind./Jeffersonville H.S.), Ben Karwoski (Bluffton, Ind./Bluffton H.S.),Laska, Misener and Jordan Rantz (Leesburg, Ind./Wawasee H.S.)
Players Mentioned
