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Little Giant Tankers Capture Seventh Straight University of Indianapolis Invitational

The Wabash College swimming team captured its seventh consecutive team title at the 2002 University of Indianapolis Invitational, held January 11-12.

Wabash defeated four NCAA I and NCAA II teams on its way to the victory. The Little Giants outscored host Indianapolis by over 200 points 778.50 to 553, followed by IUPUI (531.5), Grand Valley State University (502.5), Lewis University (295.5), and Ohio Northern University (212).

Although the Little Giants did not win any of the 18 events, the strong depth of Wabash led to the convincing victory. All 19 Little Giants entered scored as Wabash earned eight second place finishes and eight third place finishes.

Senior tri-captain Jon-Myckle Price (Logansport, IN/Logansport) and freshman Bradley Williams (Columbus, IN/Columbus) each tallied 49 points to lead the Little Giants. Price placed second in the 200 breaststroke (2:19.90) and was third in both the 100 breast (1:03.09) and 200 individual medley (2:05.4). Williams placed second in both the 500 free (5:03.09) and 1650 free (17:36.2) and fourth in the 100 backstroke.

Junior tri-captain Nick Collins (Michigantown, IN/Clinton Central) was just two points behind with 47, placing third in both the 400 individual medley (4:23.46) and 200 butterfly (2:07.07), and fourth in the 200 free (1:49.98). Freshman Ben Hewitt (Greenwood, IN/Center Grove) earned 45 points placing third in the 200 breaststroke (2:20.55), fourth in the 400 individual medley (, and fifth in the 200 IM (2:06.09). Two local products boosted the Wabash point total in the two-day meet. James Cloud (Ladoga, IN/Southmont) scored 43 points as he placed fourth in the 100 breast (1:04.87) and fifth in both the 200 breast (2:21.42) and 1650 freestyle (18:20.99). Brandon Peacock was just one point behind with finishes of second in the 100 butterfly (54.5), sixth in the 50 free (22.80), and seventh in the 100 freestyle (49.81).

Sophomore Brett Findley (Bargersville, IN/Franklin Community) was just nipped in the 200 fly to place second with a time of 2:02.68, and was fifth in the 100 fly (56.32). Freshman Zach Sundstrom (Indianapolis, IN/North Central)tied with Findley in points, placing third in the 200 backstroke (2:02.27), sixth in 100 back (58.14) and seventh in the 400 individual medley (4:34.93). Senior tri-captain Bernie Manker (Grand Rapids, MI/Northview) was sixth in the 500 free, placed 7th in the 200 breaststroke, and tied for 7th in the 200 free.

Freshman Colin Fahey (Indianapolis, IN/Bishop Chatard) was second in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.21). Steve Birrer (Indianapolis, IN/Brownsburg) placed sixth in the 100 fly (56.99) and eighth in 50 free (23.17). Nick Bourff (Knox, IN/Knox) was fifth in the 200 fly (2:09.28), Dean Fox (Aurora, IN/South Dearborn) took sixth in the 200 IM (2:07.79), and Jonathan Bruce (Woodburn, OR/Home school) was eighth in the 100 backstroke (59.40).

Wabash placed second in three relays and third in two relays. Williams, Price, Peacock, and Manker placed second in 400 medley relay (3:42.78). Fahey joined Williams, Peacock and Manker for a second place touch in the 200 medley(1:40.81). Fahey, Peacock, Birrer, and Manker were second in the 200 freestyle relay (1:30.09). Collins, Findley, Manker, and Williams were third in the 800 (7:22.67) and Fahey, Peacock, Williams, and Manker were third in the 400 (3:20.48)

Other Little Giants to score more than ten points were Ben Vidic (Elkhart, IN/Elkhart Central), Karl Grimmer (Griffith, IN/Griffith), Dennis Bowers (Seymour, IN/Seymour), Andrew Roy (Noblesville, IN/Noblesville), and Jeremy West (Indianapolis, IN/Lawrence North).

The Little Giants will travel to St. Louis Saturday to face Washington University in a dual meet at 2 p.m.