January 9, 1999
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern men's swimming and diving team evened its record at 2-2 (1-2 Big Ten) after losing its dual meet road opener 143-100 to Michigan State (2-1, 1-1 Big Ten).
The loss came despite five Wildcat first-place finishes, led by returning Big Ten champion sophomore Steve Steketee (Golden, Colo./Golden), who won both the 50 freestyle (21.68) and the 100 freestyle (46.36). Three other NU first-place finishers set season personal-bests: senior Brian Walters (Wyndmoor, Pa./William Penn Charter) in the 200 back (1:47.64), sophomore Jason Merchant (Pearl City, Hawaii/Punahou) in the 200 butterfly (1:53.59) and senior Bill Johnson (Toledo, Ohio/St. Francis de Sales) in the 200 individual medley (1:54.30).
Northwestern's next meet will be Saturday, Jan. 23 at Purdue at 6 p.m. The team returns home to face Northern Illinois at Norris Aquatics Center Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.