Swimming & Diving Continues Action at EMU Invite
12/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
Dec. 2, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State swimming and diving team returns to action this weekend when it travels to Ypsilanti, Mich. on Friday-Saturday, Dec. 3-4 for the EMU Invitational. Joining the Spartans and the host Eagles at Jones Natatorium this weekend is Ball State, Bowling Green, Findlay, IUPUI, Michigan, Toledo, Waterloo and Wayne State. Friday's action is slated for 3:30 p.m. and will continue on Saturday at 10 a.m.
MSU will also send members of the team to the 2010 AT&T Short Course National Championships in Columbus, Ohio. Action is scheduled to begin Friday, Dec. 3 and continue to Saturday, Dec. 4.
Where We Rank
After a month into the season, several Spartans rank nationally in multiple events, as well as several of the MSU relay teams. Jacob Jarzen currently is first in the 100 butterfly (47.22), second in the 100 backstroke (47.82) and third in the 200 backstroke (1:44.20). Jarzen also ranks 19th in the 200 IM (1:49.30). Joining Jarzen with two top-10 times is Kevin Puskaric. Puskaric ranks third in the 200 breaststroke (1:57.22) and eighth in the 100 breaststroke (54.50).
Colby Ward currently has two top-50 times. Ward is 30th in the 500 free (4:26.81) as well as ranking 34th in the 1650 free (15:36.85). Ricky Forrest is also ranked in the 1650 free, ranking 40th (15:39.88).
Also, MSU has five relay teams ranked in the top-50 nationally. The 800 free relay is eighth (6:34.94), the 400 medley relay is 18th (3:19.22), 200 medley relay 28th (1:31.00), the 400 free relay 36th (3:02.58), and the 200 free relay 46th (1:23.32).
Conference Kudos
Jacob Jarzen was named Big Ten Swimmer of the Week on Nov. 23. The Jacksonville, Ill., native, earned the honor for the first time in his career after placing first in three events at the Georgia Tech Invitational two weekends ago. Jarzen became the first Spartan to earn conference honors since Dec. 15, 2009 when Kevin Puskaric was named swimmer of the week.
Last Time Out
At the Georgia Tech Invite two weekends ago, the men turned in four first-place finishes in the 100 backstroke, the 100 butterfly, the 200 back and the 100 breaststroke. Also, the men posted 11 NCAA provisional marks, including two NCAA regional diving standards. Overall, with 10 athletes representing the team, the men finished sixth place. Jacob Jarzen turned in a school record time in the 100 backstroke (47.82) while the 800 free relay team's mark is the third fastest in school history. Overall, three top-10 all-time performances were posted during the weekend.
The women, in a meet which included three top-10 teams and the defending NCAA Champions Florida, placed third at the event with only 12 athletes. Overall, five top-10 performances in program history were recorded. Also, five divers posted NCAA regional standard marks in both the one-meter and three-meter boards.
Players Mentioned
