Dec. 3, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Sophomore Mike Alexandrov (Champaign, Ill./Centennial) competed in two events on the opening day of the U.S. Open Thursday in San Antonio, Texas, winning the 200-meter IM and finishing third in the 100-meter breaststroke.
Alexandrov won the 200 IM with a time of 2:03.57, a full five seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. That time also shaved three seconds off his qualifying heat mark of 2:06.91.
His time of 1:03.42 in the 100-meter breaststroke was good for third place, 1.48 behind winner Vladislav Polyakov. Alexandrov won the prelimary heat in the event with a 1:04.51.
Approximately 465 swimmers from six countries registered for the U.S. Open. In order to compete, swimmers must meet a time standard during the qualifying period.
Alexandrov swam at the 2004 Olympic Games for his native Bulgaria, with his best finish coming in the 200 IM (18th).
He was scheduled to swim a pair of events on the second day of competition, but did not due to illness.