Dec. 1, 2006
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Three Wildcats qualified for finals heats in their respective events Friday at USA Swimming's U.S. Open hosted by Purdue, in addition to a 10th-place effort from the NU 400-meter medley relay.
Junior Kyle Bubolz (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha North) turned in a very impressive effort in the 100-meter fly, qualifying third with a 54.04 in the prelims before climbing a notch to finish second in the championship final with a time of 53.45. Bubolz's Olympic trial cut time placed him behind only 2004 Olympic silver-medalist and current world-record holder Ian Crocker.
Sophomore Eric Nilsson (Weston, Mass./Weston) picked up his second championship heat appearance with an eighth-place finish in the 200-meter free. His time of 1:51.95 is an Olympic trial cut time. He also finished eighth in the 400-meter free during Thursday's action.
Senior Mike Alexandrov (Champaign, Ill./Centennial) qualified for the B-final in the 400-meter IM, finishing 10th overall with a trial cut of 4:28.89 in the finals.
Bubolz, Alexandrov, Nilsson and Bruno Barbic (Zagreb, Croatia/V. Gymnazija) comprised NU's 400-meter medley relay, swimming a 3:53.89 to finish 10th overall.
For more information on one of USA Swimming's biggest meets of the year, including complete results and live results, link to usaswimming.org.
The meet concludes tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 2.