Ball State University
MAC Championships
Men's S&D Ends MAC Championships With Strong Finish
March 06, 2010 | Men's Swimming and Diving
YPSILANTI, Mich. - - With 11 more top 16 performances Saturday, the Ball State men's swimming & diving team added 64 points on the final day of competition in the 2010 Mid-American Conference Championships hosted by Eastern Michigan. The Cardinals finished the three-day event with 231.5 points to place sixth out of the seven-team field.
Meet host Eastern Michigan claimed its fourth-straight MAC Championship title with 773 points, 159.5 points better than runner-up Buffalo (613.5). Missouri State was third with a score of 587, followed by Miami (574.5), Southern Illinois (478), BSU (231.5) and Evansville (136.5).
After a solid performance in the morning prelims, the Cardinals scored 10 points in the day's first final, the 1650 freestyle. Junior Mark Golden (Itasca, Ill./Lake Park H.S.) was BSU's top performer in the meet's longest events, earning seven points with a time of 16:03.90. Senior Ben Karwoski (Bluffton, Ind./Bluffton H.S.) also turned in a solid swim in the event, posting a 14th-place (3 pts) time of 16:22.56.
In the 200 backstroke, the Cardinals had three swimmers break into the top 16, led by senior Adam Dale's (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg H.S.) 10th-place (7 pts) time of 1:52.04. Fellow senior Tyler Dixon (Jeffersonville, Ind./Jeffersonville H.S.) followed in 14th (3 points) with a swim of 1:55.75, while sophomore Andrew Hostetler (Vincennes, Ind./Jasper H.S.) rounded out BSU's scorers in the event with a clocking of 1:56.15 to place 15th (2 pts).
Senior Ben Battjes (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Memorial H.S.) boosted the Cardinals score by four more points, after turning in a time of 46.25 in the 100 freestyle to place 13th.
Sophomore Gavin McNeeley (North Manchester, Ind./Manchester H.S.) added his name to the BSU record book for the second time this weekend, clocking in at 2:05.80 in the 200 breaststroke. In addition to placing 14th in the meet to earn three points, the time was the third-fastest individual performance in program history. In Friday's 100 breaststroke finals, McNeeley's time of 57.67 was also the third-fastest individual effort in program history.
In the final individual event of the meet, the 200 butterfly, the Cardinals added nine more points with three swimmers braking into scoring position. Sophomore Chris Krupa (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike H.S.) led the trio with an 11th-place (6 pts) time of 1:53.72. Karwoski placed 15th (2 pts) with a clocking of 1:55.37, just ahead of freshman James Aksamit (Rochester, Minn./Lourdes H.S.) in 16th (1 pt) with a time of 1:58.40.
The Cardinals ended their 2009-10 campaign with a sixth-place (26 pts) swim in the 400 freestyle relay, as Battjes, sophomore Casey Schroeder (Williamsport, Ind./Seeger Memorial H.S.), freshman Devon Hill (Muncie, Ind./Central H.S.) and senior Austin Laska (Palos Park, Ill./A.A. Stagg H.S.) combined for a time of 3:04.76.
Saturday's Ball State Results
1650 Freestyle
10th Mark Golden - 16:03.90 (7 pts)
14th Ben Karwoski - 16:22.56 (3 pts)
18th Nicholas Stevens - 16:38.12
Ex. Ryan Gordyan - 17:00.74
200 Backstroke Finals
10th Adam Dale - 1:52.04 (7 pts)
14th Tyler Dixon - 1:55.75 (3 pts)
15th Andrew Hostetler - 1:56.15 (2 pts)
200 Backstroke Prelims
10th Adam Dale - 1:52.66
15th Andrew Hostetler - 1:53.97
17th Tyler Dixon - 1:54.81
19th Ryan Misener - 1:57.02
Ex. Michael Weber - 1:58.48
Ex. Ethan Hall - 2:03.32
100 Freestyle Finals
13th Ben Battjes - 46.25 (4 pts)
100 Freestyle Prelims
11th Ben Battjes - 46.12
17th Casey Schroeder - 46.43
18th Devon Hill - 46.44
23rd Austin Laska - 46.87
200 Breaststroke Finals
14th Gavin McNeeley - 2:05.80 (3 pts) - Third-Fastest Individual Time in Program History
200 Breaststroke Prelims
15th Gavin McNeeley - 2:07.37
17th Jordan Rantz - 2:08.25
18th Mark Nau - 2:08.64
23rd David Wood - 2:13.67
200 Butterfly Finals
11th Chris Krupa - 1:53.72 (6 pts)
15th Ben Karwoski - 1:55.37 (2 pts)
16th James Aksamit - 1:58.40 (1 pt)
200 Butterfly Prelims
13th Chris Krupa - 1:55.67
14th Ben Karwoski - 1:55.90
15th James Aksamit - 1:57.78
17th Tyler Dixon - 2:01.30
Ex. Tony DeBrota - 1:58.15
400 Freestyle Relay
6th Ben Battjes, Casey Schroeder, Devon Hill, Austin Laska - 3:04.76 (26 pts)
FRIDAY'S RECAP
YPSILANTI, Mich. - - The Ball State men's swimming & diving team posted eight top 16 efforts on the second day of the 2010 Mid-American Conference Championships for a total of 78.5 points. The Cardinals remain sixth in the seven team field with a total score of 167.5.
Host Eastern Michigan continues to hold the overall advantage with 459 points, followed by Buffalo (417.5), Missouri State (397), Miami (366.5), Southern Illinois (336), BSU (167.5) and Evansville (106.5).
Ball State opened Friday's finals round with a sixth-place showing in the 200 medley relay, as senior Ryan Misener (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Memorial H.S.), sophomore Gavin McNeeley (North Manchester, Ind./Manchester H.S.), sophomore Chris Krupa (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike H.S.) and senior Ben Battjes (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Memorial H.S.) combined for a time of 1:32.95.
McNeeley was the Cardinals top individual scorer on the day, racking up seven points with a 10th-place finish in the 100 breaststroke. McNeeley's time of 57.67 in the event was the third-fastest individual time in program history.
The Cardinals best individual event of the day was the 100 backstroke, with three student-athletes placing in the top 16. Misener led the group by tying for 12th (4.5 pts) with a time of 52.56. Senior Adam Dale (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg H.S.) added a 14th-place (3 pts) effort of 52.61, while fellow senior Tyler Dixon (Jeffersonville, Ind./Jeffersonville H.S.) placed 16th (1 pt) with a wall touch of 53.77.
In the first individual event of the day, sophomore Andrew Hostetler (Vincennes, Ind./Jasper H.S.) placed 11th (6 pts) with a time of 4:03.99. In the next event, the 100 butterfly, Krupa followed with a 12th-place (5 pts) clocking of 50.80.
The Cardinals concluded the second day of competition with a sixth-place (26 pts) effort in the 800 freestyle relay. In the event, junior Mark Golden (Itasca, Ill./Lake Park H.S.), sophomore Casey Schroeder (Williamsport, Ind./Seeger Memorial H.S.), freshman Nicholas Stevens (Greencastle, Ind./Greencastle H.S.) and senior Ben Karwoski (Bluffton, Ind./Bluffton H.S.) logged a time of 7:00.36.
Action in the 2010 MAC Men's Swimming & Diving Championships concludes tomorrow (Saturday) with finals in the 1650 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, three-meter diving and the 400 freestyle relay. Prelims for the individual events begin at noon, while event finals start at 7 p.m.
Friday's Ball State Results
200 Medley Relay
6th Ryan Misener, Gavin McNeeley, Chris Krupa, Ben Battjes - 1:32.95 (26 pts)
400 IM Finals
11th Andrew Hostetler - 4:03.99 (6 pts)
400 IM Prelims
9th Andrew Hostetler - 4:04.36
Ex. Tony DeBrota - 4:15.24
Ex. Ethan Hall - 4:21.33
100 Butterfly Finals
12th Chris Krupa - 50.80 (5 pts)
100 Butterfly Prelims
16th Chris Krupa - 51.11
18th Ben Battjes - 51.56
23rd James Aksamit - 52.75
200 Freestyle Prelims
22nd Casey Schroeder - 1:43.04
25th Mark Golden - 1:44.77
29th Austin Laska - 1:44.98
31st Nicholas Stevens - 1:45.26
Ex. Ryan Gordyan - 1:46.84
100 Breaststroke Finals
10th Gavin McNeeley - 57.67 (7 pts) - Third Best Individual Time In Program History
100 Breaststroke Prelims
9th Gavin McNeeley - 57.36
18th Jordan Rantz - 58.63
24th Mark Nau - 1:00.24
25th David Wood - 1:00.30
100 Backstroke Finals
12th Ryan Misener - 52.56 (4.5pts)
14th Adam Dale - 52.61 (3 pts)
16th Tyler Dixon - 53.77 (1 pt)
100 Backstroke Prelims
13th Ryan Misener - 52.20
16th Adam Dale - 52.71
18th Tyler Dixon - 53.98
19th Devon Hill - 54.42
Ex. Michael Weber - 54.12
3-Meter Diving Prelims
17th Jeremy Whited - 211.55
20th Quinton Rodriguez - 167.85
21st Chris Behrle - 166.65
800 Freestyle Relay
5th Mark Golden, Casey Schroeder, Nicholas Stevens, Ben Karwoski - 7:00.36
THURSDAY'S FINALS RECAP
YPSILANTI, Mich. - - The Ball State men's swimming & diving team used a strong 200 freestyle relay and a solid showing in the 50 freestyle to help post 89 points on the first day of competition at the 2010 Mid-American Conference Championship hosted by Eastern Michigan. With the total, the Cardinals are currently sixth among the seven teams at the meet.
Three-time defending champion and host Eastern Michigan leads the meet with 214 points, followed by Miami (197.5), Buffalo (189.5), Missouri State (179), Southern Illinois (129), BSU (89) and Evansville (50).
The Cardinals started Thursday's championship round with 30 points and a fourth-place showing in the 200 freestyle relay, as senior Ben Battjes (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Memorial H.S.), sophomore Casey Schroeder (Williamsport, Ind./Seeger Memorial H.S.), freshman Devon Hill (Muncie, Ind./Central H.S.) and senior Austin Laska (Palos Park, Ill./A.A. Stagg H.S.) combined to post a time of 1:22.23.
After the relay, junior Mark Golden (Itasca, Ill./Lake Park H.S.) swam to a 16th-place time of 4:40.82 in the 500 freestyle, to earn one point for the Cardinals.
Then came the Ball State's strongest event, the 50 freestyle. In the sprint, Battjes posted the Cardinals' fastest time of the year at 20.54 to place third overall and earn 16 points. Close behind was Laska, who earned 12 points with a seventh-place effort of 20.82. In his first MAC Championship meet, Hill picked up three points for a 14th-place wall touch of 21.26.
On the one-meter diving board, junior Jeremy Whited (Richmond, Ind./Richmond H.S.) led the Cardinals with a 16th-place score of 210.90.
Ball State rounded out the opening day of competition with a sixth-place time of 3:27.89 in the 400 medley relay, as senior Tyler Dixon (Jeffersonville, Ind./Jeffersonville H.S.), sophomore Gavin McNeeley (North Manchester, Ind./Manchester H.S.), sophomore Chris Krupa (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike H.S.) and Battjes earned 26 points for BSU.
Action in the 2010 MAC Men's Swimming & Diving Championship continues Friday at noon, with prelims in the 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke and three-meter diving.
THURSDAY'S FINAL RESULTS
200 Freestyle Relay Finals
4th Ben Battjes, Casey Schroeder, Devon Hill, Austin Laska - 1:22.23 (30 pts)
500 Freestyle Finals
16th Mark Golden - 4:40.82 (1 pt)
50 Freestyle Finals
3rd Ben Battjes - 20.54 (16 pts)
7th Austin Laska - 20.82 (12 pts)
14th Devon Hill - 21.26 (3 pts)
1-Meter Diving Finals
16th Jeremy Whited - 210.90/202.50 prelim (1 pt)
21st Chris Behrle - 174.65
22nd Quinton Rodriguez -159.85
400 Medley Relay Finals
6th Tyler Dixon, Gavin McNeeley, Chris Krupa, Ben Battjes - 3:27.89 (26 pts)
THURSDAY'S PRELIM RECAP
YPSILANTI, Mich. - - The Ball State men's swimming & diving team had four swimmers advance to their respective event finals on the first day of competition in the 2010 Mid-American Conference Championships hosted by Eastern Michigan at the Jones Natatorium.
BSU's biggest event was the 50 freestyle, where seniors Ben Battjes (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Memorial H.S.) and Austin Laska (Palos Park, Ill./A.A. Stagg H.S.) each advanced to Thursday night's championship heat. Battjes placed fifth in the prelims with a season-fast time of 20.71, while Laska clocked a season-best 20.87.
In addition to the two seniors, freshman Devon Hill (Muncie, Ind./Central H.S.) advanced to the consolation finals in the 50 freestyle with a career-fast effort of 21:02.
In the longest event of the opening day, junior Mark Golden (Itasca, Ill./Lake Park H.S.) posted the 16th-fastest time in the 500 freestyle, advancing to the consolation finals with a season-best time of 4:35.87.
In addition to the swimmers, action in the one-meter diving competition began this afternoon, while finals for today's five swimming events and the one-meter diving competition begin at 7 p.m. with the 200 freestyle relay.
BALL STATE'S THURSDAY PRELIM RESULTS
500 Freestyle Prelims
16th Mark Golden - 4:35.87
20th Adam Dale - 4:39.56
21st Ben Karwoski - 4:40.93
22nd Andrew Hostetler - 4:42.31
23rd Nicholas Stevens - 4:42.80
Ex. Ryan Gordyan - 4:49.28
Ex. Tony DeBrota - 4:49.58
Ex. Ethan Hall - 4:56.52
200 IM Prelims
20th Chris Krupa - 1:55.54
25th Gavin McNeeley - 1:57.92
28th James Aksamit - 1:58.71
29th Jordan Rantz - 1:58.74
Ex. Michael Weber - 1:59.51
5th Ben Battjes - 20.71
7th Austin Laska - 20.87
11th Devon Hill - 21:02
21st Casey Schroeder - 21.39
30th Ryan Misener - 21.91
34th Mark Nau - 23.05
35th David Wood - 23.17
Players Mentioned
