Jan. 18, 2005
THIS WEEK — The University of Iowa men’s swimming team will travel to Minneapolis, MN, to compete against Minnesota and North Dakota. The competition will begin at 1 p.m. at the University Aquatic Center.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA AND NORTH DAKOTA — Minnesota the defending Big Ten Champions has a record of 2-1 (0-0 Big Ten) with their lone loss coming to third-ranked Florida. The Golden Gophers also took first in the Minnesota Invitational a competition that the Hawkeyes finished 4th in. They are currently ranked seventh nationally. This weekend’s competition marks the first Big Ten dual of the season for Minnesota. North Dakota, a perennial power in Division II swimming comes into the competition with a record of 4-3. The Fighting Sioux are ranked first in Division II. They also competed in the Minnesota Invitational where they finished fifth.
LAST TIME OUT — The Iowa men’s swimming team last competed in a dual meet way back on the 4th of December where they were swept by Indiana, Southern Illinois and Purdue in Bloomington, IN. Since then the Hawkeyes spent their Christmas Break in Hawaii training for the remainder of the season. Despite being swept at the triangular dual meet in Indiana, several Hawkeye swimmers had impressive performances. Senior Alex Boyce came away with the only Hawkeye victory in the 100 butterfly (50.64). Boyce also competed in the 50 free, where he finished sixth (21.06). Sophomore Paul Divan finished fourth in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke events. Junior Andrei Ciurca had a solid showing in the 100 and 200 backstroke events. Ciurca finished sixth (51.96) in the 100 and fourth (1:53.04) in the 200.
INTERIM HEAD COACH MARC LONG– Former Hawkeye Assistant Coach Marc Long is in his first season as interim head coach after serving the past two seasons as assistant to the women’s program. Prior to joining the men’s swimming program, Long served as Iowa’s assistant men’s swimming coach (1998-2001). As a Hawkeye swimmer, Long was a six-time all-American, a two-time Big Ten Champion and a two-time first team all-Big Ten selection. He is assisted by former Hawkeye swimmer Frannie DeBord.
DIVING COACH Bob Rydze — Bob Rydze is in his 30th year as diving coach of the men and women’s teams at the University of Iowa, and is the dean of Big Ten swimming and diving coaches.