University Southern California Trojans
Men's Swimming, Diving NCAAs Day One Prelims
March 23, 2000 | Men's Swimming & Diving
March 23, 2000
MINNEAPOLIS - USC qualified two swimmers and one relay into finals and two swimmers and one relay into consolation finals during the prelims of the first day of the 2000 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships on Thursday (March 23) at the Minnesota Aquatics Center.
Freshman Erik Vendt qualified second (3:43.71) and sophomore Mark Warkentin qualified seventh (3:46.47) in the 400m free.
The top eight in each event qualify for finals and the second eight compete in consolation finals and each of the top 16 are guaranteed points. The meet is being swum in short course meters.
USC's 400m medley relay of junior Leonardo Costa, junior Ryosuke Imai, sophomore Thomas Kerekjarto and junior Gabe Woodward posted a fine swim, qualifying fifth in 3:35.78. Woodward's anchor split of 48.05 was second-fastest among the top eight finishers. Even more impressive, it came after his lead-off leg in the 200m free relay and his race in the 50m free.
Sophomore Nick Kaschik finished 12th in the 200m IM (1:59.70) and Kerekjarto was 14th in the event (1:59.84).
The Trojans' 200m free relay of Woodward, junior Slawek Richter, Costa and junior Philippe Demers made consolation finals, qualifying 13th in 1:29.58.
Other USC finishers included freshman Jeff Lee (400m free, 18th, 3:49.68), senior Bret Awbrey (400m free, 39th, 3:52.88), sophomore Joel Everman (400m free, 40th, 3:53.11), Richter (200m IM, 37th, 2:02.38), freshman Mike Gausman (200m IM, 40th, 2:02.98), Demers (200m IM, 46th, 2:04.90) and Woodward (50m free, t-28th, 22.49).
Finals begin at 7 p.m. CST. The meet continues Friday and Saturday (March 24-25). Prelims begin at noon and finals begin at 7 p.m. both days.
