Jan. 10, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern's men's swimming and diving team will host Michigan State in a Friday evening meet, marking the first Big Ten meet they will host this season, as well as the last.
The meet, originally scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m., was moved to Friday at 5 p.m. to accomodate Michigan State's meet against Purdue this weekend.
Coming off a winter break win over St. Olaf, head coach Bob Groseth said NU's biggest challenge now is regaining the focus from training camp in Hawaii.
The Wildcats, who fell out of the Top 25 rankings after a month of not competing in meets, will not face a nationally-ranked team until the Big Ten Championships at the end of February. According to Groseth, his swimmers need to challenge themselves mentally as they face teams that are not as competitive.
Despite losing a national ranking, NU remains a regular presence in the national College Quick 50 lists. Highlighted by junior Kellan O'Connor's (Phoenix, Ariz./Brophy Prep) 17th-place time in the 200 butterfly (1:47.76), four 'Cats and three relay teams are among the fastest in the country.
Friday's meet marks the last home dual for NU seniors Nick Barnes, Jeff Blatnik, Adam Kennedy, Elliot Massuda and Chris Meyer.
After swimming at Illinois-Chicago on Jan. 18, the Wildcats will travel to their remaining Big Ten meet, which will be at Iowa on Feb. 8.