Feb. 23, 2007
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -
As the third day of the 2007 Pacific-10 Conference Men's Swimming Championships began with preliminary rounds in five events, showcased excellent performances in the 400 IM and 100 backstroke, placing three swimmers into Friday's championship rounds while each member of the trio recorded an NCAA consideration time along the way.
The Sun Devils enjoyed perhaps the finest preliminary round in the 400 individual medley as any team in the conference, placing two of the top three overall finishers in the round. Junior CJ Nuess led the way for ASU, completing the event in an NCAA `B' qualifying time of 3:49.93, only .15 seconds shy of his career best time in the event, which also stands as third-best all-time at ASU. Following shortly behind Nuess was sophomore Gal Nevo, who placed third overall with a time of 3:50.37. Nevo, ASU's record holder in the 400 IM, also earned an NCAA `B' mark for his excellent finish and will join Nuess in the finals round, to be held Friday evening. Junior Jacob Fischer also competed in the preliminary round of the 400 IM, posting a season-best time.
Also highlighting Friday's preliminary rounds for ASU was freshman Ante Cvitkovic, who earned a spot in the championship round of the 100 backstroke by finishing in 47.95, the third-fastest 100 backstroke time in Sun Devil history. Cvitkovic placed fourth overall and also earned an NCAA consideration honor for his remarkable finish and will compete for the Pac-10 Championship in the 100 backstroke in the event's finals round.
Freshman Max Laney and sophomore Brandon Pierson joined Cvitkovic as competitors in the 100 backstroke preliminary round and each swimmer recorded personal best times for the 2006-07 season. Laney will return for Friday evening's 100 backstroke consolation round.
Sophomores Sean Boyle and Mohammed Madwa also impressed during Friday's preliminary rounds, earning positions in the 200 freestyle consolation finals round.
The finals rounds of the 400 IM, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke and 100 backstroke will be held Friday beginning at 6 p.m. (PST).
Meet results and coverage will be provided on TheSunDevils.com when information becomes available.