Ball State University
Eastern Michigan and Ohio State
Brehmer Qualifies for NCAA Zones at Eastern Michigan
January 26, 2014 | Men's Swimming and Diving
YPSILANTI, Mich. - Senior diver Jake Brehmer had a career day on the 1-meter diving competition as the Ball State men's swimming and diving team competed against Eastern Michigan and Ohio State Saturday afternoon. With his lifetime-best score of 303.10, Brehmer has qualified for his first-ever trip to the NCAA Zone Diving meet. Ball State fell to Eastern Michigan 163-115.
Brehmer becomes the first Ball State male diver to qualify for the NCAA Zone Diving Meet since Zach Whitaker competed in the meet in Ann Arbor, Mich., during the 2006-07 season. Whitaker finished in 27th place on both boards at that meet.
Six Cardinals posted season-best times against the Eagles from Eastern Michigan. In addition, five Ball State swimmers were participating in events for the first time this season.
Two-time MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week Drew Tharp was one of the swimmers participating in a first-time event for the season. The senior clocked a 1:44.62 in the 200 free for second place. In addition, Tharp clocked a season-best time of 49.02 in the 100 free.
Freshman Austin Green finished second in the 100 free with a 47.90 and third in the 50 free with a 21.97. Sophomore Cole Smith finished third in the 50 free with a 22.01 and third in the 100 free with a 48.56. Junior Neal Fennig came in third place in the 1000 free with a time of 10:24.86, his first time swimming in that event this season.
Freshman JD Middleton clocked two season-bests on Saturday. He turned in a 4:55.81 in the 500 free and a 2:03.51 in the 200 fly. Classmate Tanner Barton earned a season-best in the 200 free when he posted a fifth-place time of 1:46.93. Barton also participated in the 200 breast for the first time this season and finished with a 2:18.01. Freshman Mitch Prather earned a season-best in the 200 breast, clocking a 2:20.14. Fennig was also in the race, his first time this season, and turned in a 2:27.05.
Senior Michael Oaks finished with a season-best time of 52.30 in the 100 fly while junior Andrew Lamb finished with a season-best 4:53.82 in the 500 free.
In the relays, Tucker Hale, Conner Snare, Drew Tharp and Austin Green combined for a 1:40.61 in the 200 medley relay while Neal Fennig, Green, Michael Oaks and Cole Smith clocked a 3:12.48 400 free relay.
Brehmer finished sixth in the 3-meter diving event with a score of 251.35.
Ball State will travel down to Indianapolis to participate in the Butler Invitational. Check ballstatesports.com for news and information on Ball State men's swimming and diving.
Players Mentioned
