Dec. 12, 2002
Bowling Green, Ky. - The Western Kentucky men's swimming team is making a splash on the national level with five relays and three individuals timed in the top 50 according to Taper & Shave.com.
Gord Veldman (Sr., Kingston, Ontario) leads WKU with the 13th fastest time in the country in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 48.76. Fellow senior Jerrod Janes (Carlsbad, N.M.) has the 33rd fastest time in the 50 Freestyle (20.50). Junior Ryan Crosby (Escondido, Calif.) slipped into the top 50 at No. 50 with a time of 49.60 in the 100 butterfly.
All five Western relays are in the top 50. The 200 Freestyle Relay is 14th after finishing in a time of 1:21.94. The relay is made up of Crosby, Jay Smith (Jr., Hopkinsville, Ky.), Chris Raniere (Fr., Flordia, N.Y), and Shane Music (Fr., Boones Camp, Ky.). Both the 400 and 800 free relays have the 46th fastest times in the nation. In the 400 free relay, the team of Matt Nalbone (Jr., Niagra Falls, N.Y.), Janes, Crosby and Veldman completed the course in 3:04.45. The foursome of Nalbone, Nick Bracco (So., Leawood, Kan.), Greg Strickler (So., Midland, Mich.), and Keith Janson (Fr., Ft. Thomas, Ky.) are 46th in the nation in the 800 free relay with a time of 6:50.68. Both of the men's relays in the medley are also in the top 30 and are manned by the group of Veldman, Chris Tarter, Crosby and Janes. The 200 Medley Relay is 27th (1:31.88) and 400 Medley is 28th with a time of 3:21.23.
Western Kentucky will next head to Florida for winter training on Dec. 27 before competing in the Gulf Coast Invitational on Jan. 4. WKU will host Wright State on Jan. 11 at 1 p.m.
