Feb. 5, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - For the seventh time in the program's history the Western Kentucky University men's swimming and diving team completed the regular season undefeated at 14-0 following its 121-53 win over the University of Evansville Purple Aces in the Preston Center Pool. The Hilltoppers last went undefeated during the 1999-2000 season going 12-0. The team's best season was in 1998-99 when it went 15-0.
Western won seven of 10 events for points, plus had the fastest times in two others that it competed in as exhibitions. The Hilltoppers swept the top four spots in three events. In the 200 Freestyle, sophomore Alex Handley (Kensington, England) won in a time of 1:44.62. He was followed by James Campbell (Fr., Dacula, Ga.) (1:46.24), Karl Swanson (Fr., Bowling Green, Ky.) (1:46.60) and Matt Nalbone (Jr., Niagara Falls, N.Y.) (1:46.86). Ryan Crosby (Jr., Escondido, Calif.) led a foursome to the top finishes in the 25-yard Butterfly with a time of 10.65. Handley was second in 10.94, Jay Smith (Jr, Hopkinsville, Ky.) third (11.10), and Greg Strickler (So., Midland, Mich.) fourth (11.19). In the 100 freestyle, Western had the top four times despite treating the event as an exhibition. Freshman Tommy Pollock (Plant City, Fla.) had the best time (48.00). Nick Bracco (So., Leawood, Kan.) (48.75), Keith Janson (Fr., Fort Thomas, Ky.) (49.37), and Dan Alvarez (So., Gallatin, Tenn.) (49.66) had the next fastest times. Pollock was the lone two-time winner also winning the 25 Freestyle in 9.86.
The men will next compete in the National Independent Championships at Oakland University on Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 1.
Top Finishers Event Place Competitor(s) Time 200 Medley Relay 1st Gord Veldman, Charlie Knight 1:32.43 200 Freestyle 1st Alex Handley 1:46.24 100 IM 2nd Nick Bracco 55.08 25 Freestyle 1st Tommy Pollock 9.86 25 Butterfly 1st Ryan Crosby 10.65 50 Freestyle 1st Drew Aldridge 21.56 25 Backstroke 1st Chris Raniere 21.56 25 Breaststroke 1st Charlie Knight 12.09 100 Freestyle EX Tommy Pollock 48.00 200 Freestyle Relay EX Gord Veldman, Jerrod, Janes 1:23.84- WKU -
