2008 NCAA Div I Men's Swimming and Diving Championships

Another big question is can the Texas men swim to their potential? They did not swim well last year at NCAAs. But Texas was super-fast at the Big12s. They are the deepest, fastest, group of 200 freestylers anywhere. The quartet of freshman Dave Walters, senior Matt McGinnis, junior Michael Klueh and sophomore Ricky Berens obliterated the record in 6:10.55, breaking the previous mark of 6:14.14 set by Club Wolverine's Michael Phelps, Peter Vanderkaay, Davis Tarwater and Chris DeJong on Nov. 30, 2007 in Atlanta. Walters led off in 1:32.51 to set a new school record in the 200 freestyle, as he took down Doug Gjertsen's 18-year-old Texas standard of 1:33.15. McGinnis followed in 1:33.31 before giving way to Klueh, who clocked 1:32.21 in the third leg. Berens anchored in 1:32.52 to finish off the relay in 6:10.55. I am not sure if I agree with that statement that this group is the deepest and fastest group anywhere. At the 2008 NCAA Meet, sure and they could win but the foursome that Club Wolverine put together in Atlanta could match them easily. By the way, the record that was set by Club Wolverine was not 6:14.14 but 6:12.43 and the 6:14.14 was the old record set in 2007 by the University of Arizona. It would be real interesting to see these two relays go head to head and if Texas can go in the 6:08 range, then yes I would concede that they would be the best 800 Relay in NCAA and in Club competition. Here are Club Wolverine splits for comparison: Michael Phelps 1:32.43, PVK 1:33.54, Davis Tarwater 1:33.83 and Chris DeJong 1:32.63. The biggest difference is the 3rd leg of Tarwater vs Klueh. I believe both Michael Phelps and Peter VDK would be a lot faster because this relay was done at the end of the meet in Atlanta and judging from there Long Course performances of high 1:43 and low 1:45, this relay could would get in the 6:10 range easily.

Another big question is can the Texas men swim to their potential? They did not swim well last year at NCAAs. But Texas was super-fast at the Big12s. They are the deepest, fastest, group of 200 freestylers anywhere. The quartet of freshman Dave Walters, senior Matt McGinnis, junior Michael Klueh and sophomore Ricky Berens obliterated the record in 6:10.55, breaking the previous mark of 6:14.14 set by Club Wolverine's Michael Phelps, Peter Vanderkaay, Davis Tarwater and Chris DeJong on Nov. 30, 2007 in Atlanta. Walters led off in 1:32.51 to set a new school record in the 200 freestyle, as he took down Doug Gjertsen's 18-year-old Texas standard of 1:33.15. McGinnis followed in 1:33.31 before giving way to Klueh, who clocked 1:32.21 in the third leg. Berens anchored in 1:32.52 to finish off the relay in 6:10.55. I am not sure if I agree with that statement that this group is the deepest and fastest group anywhere. At the 2008 NCAA Meet, sure and they could win but the foursome that Club Wolverine put together in Atlanta could match them easily. By the way, the record that was set by Club Wolverine was not 6:14.14 but 6:12.43 and the 6:14.14 was the old record set in 2007 by the University of Arizona. It would be real interesting to see these two relays go head to head and if Texas can go in the 6:08 range, then yes I would concede that they would be the best 800 Relay in NCAA and in Club competition. Here are Club Wolverine splits for comparison: Michael Phelps 1:32.43, PVK 1:33.54, Davis Tarwater 1:33.83 and Chris DeJong 1:32.63. The biggest difference is the 3rd leg of Tarwater vs Klueh. I believe both Michael Phelps and Peter VDK would be a lot faster because this relay was done at the end of the meet in Atlanta and judging from there Long Course performances of high 1:43 and low 1:45, this relay could would get in the 6:10 range easily.