Gophers diving leads Minnesota over N.C. State
At the conclusion of day one in this two day dual, the Maroon and Gold found themselves in an unfamiliar position — behind; trailing only by one point. But Minnesota bounced back to capture the win, 192-159, over the visiting Wolfpack.
Diving however, took charge early giving the Golden Gophers much needed points to earn the come from behind win. Minnesota won the top three finishes in the one and three meter events. Sophomore Manny Pollard won both with scores of 350.10 and 378.98. In the one-meter, teammates Dylan Zoe (334.80) and Matt Barnard (321.68) finished second and third, respectively; the three-meter saw the reverse with Barnard taking second place (375.45) and Zoe third (362.70).
The hosting Gophers captured a first place finish in the following swims:
- 100 yard freestyle – Brandon Hatanaka (9:20.20)
- 100 yard backstroke – Daryl Turner (47.69)
- 100 yard butterfly – Kyler Van Swol (1:44.85)
- 200 yard individual medley – Jakob Maly (1:49.81)
- 400 yard individual medley – Brandon Hatanaka (3:54.04)
- 200 yard backstroke – Carl Newenhouse (1:46.71)
- 100 yard butterfly – Kyler Van Swol (46.90)
- 200 yard breaststroke – Nick Hatanaka (2:02.56)
- 400 yard freestyle relay – Van Swol, Turner, Newenhouse, Derek Toomey (2:56.74)
Minnesota’s most successful swim in this dual was the 500 yard freestyle. The Gophers earned the top three finishes led by CJ Smith in a time of 4:27.24. Following close behind were Ben Bravence (4:27.69) and Logan Redondo (4:31.83). This is the only swim of the dual in which Minnesota finished in the top three spots.
Now 6-1 on the season, the Gophers will travel to West Lafayette to take on No. 21 Purdue and Wisconsin (whom Minnesota already has a road win against this season) in a conference triple dual. Swims begin Friday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. CT. and continue Saturday, Feb. 1 at 12 p.m. CT.