Buckeyes Sweep Friday Events

Day One of OSU Invitational

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio State set four meet records winning all five swimming events and the one-meter diving to lead the field after the first day of competition at the Ohio State Invitational.
 
“I don’t know if it could have gone much better,” said Ohio State head coach Bill Wadley. “The 500 freestyle got us started with some awesome swims – a couple of them are huge leaps, like Alex Miller swimming a great time. He is five seconds off of Big Ten championship pace. We also had Zach Holmes, who normally swims the 50 freestyle, prove that he can do distance freestyle too. The individual medleys were also excellent.
 
“As a team we are working hard together and pushing each other. The team is swimming for each other and not against competition.”
 
Team scores after Day One: Ohio State 432; Purdue 248; Penn State 201; Michigan State 133; Notre Dame (diving only) 41.
 
In the 50 freestyle, Jason Schnur set a meet record, winning in 19.74. Buckeyes Zach Birnbrich and Lincoln Fahrbach tied for second, both in a time of 20.21.
 
Buckeye senior Markus Sievers captured the 200 IM in a time of 1:46.66, followed by teammate Steven Zimmerman in second (1:47.36).
 
With five swimmers in the championship final of the 500 freestyle, Ohio State took
Alex Miller won the race in a meet record time of 4:19.13, followed by Brent Hitchcock (4:20.48) in second, Zach Holmes (4:23.11) in third, Luke Stirton (4:23.66) in fourth and Rowan Williams (4:25.92) in fifth place.
 
Ohio State set a meet record in the 200 freestyle relay, as Jason Schnur, Zach Birnbrich, Lincoln Fahrbach and Zach Holmes finished in 1:18.57. Purdue was second (1:19.71) and the Buckeye relay of Steven Springer, Andrew Elliott, Michael DiSalle and Michael Meldon placed third (1:21.34).
 
In the 400 medley relay, the Buckeyes established another meet record, as Andrew Elliott, Keanu Stevenson, Lincoln Fahrbach and Jason Schnur won in a time of 3:09.76. The Buckeye squad of Kevin Lancki, Dak Stone, Luke Stirton and Zach Holmes placed third in 3:15.83.
 
Buckeyes Chris Holstein (326.30) and Stephen Ettienne (313.55) finished first and second in the one-meter diving competition.
 
The Buckeyes continue to host the OSU Invitational Saturday and Sunday at McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion. Saturday’s preliminary races begin at 10 a.m., with the finals scheduled for 5 p.m. Admission is free.
 
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Friday, Dec. 2, 2011
McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion
Columbus, Ohio
 
Event Winners: 
200 Free Relay: 1) Ohio State: Jason Schnur, Zach Birnbrich, Lincoln Fahrbach, Zach Holmes (1:18.57, meet record)
500 Free: 1) Alex Miller (4:19.13, meet record)
200 IM: 1) Markus Sievers, Ohio State (1:46.66)
50 Free: 1) Jason Schnur, Ohio State (19.74, meet record)
1-Meter Diving: 1) Chris Holstein, Ohio State (326.30)
400 Medley Relay: 1) Ohio State, Andrew Elliott, Keanu Stevenson, Lincoln Fahrbach, Jason Schnur (3:09.76, meet record)