HOUSTON — The CSUB men's swimming and diving team continued to rewrite the program record book Friday, taking down four more all-time top marks at the Conference USA Championships, hosted by University of Houston.
After breaking a pair of relay records on Wednesday and Thursday, the Roadrunners went after individual marks Friday as Jake Priest, Matt Parsonage, Chad McKenzie and Luka Leskur all finished the night owners of a CSUB all-time record.
The Roadrunners opened the night with a 1:22.52, fourth place finish in the 200 free relay. Then came Priest's 400 IM in which the freshman placed second in a CSUB record 3:52.80. The time, also an NCAA “B” cut, broke the previous record of 3:54.22, set in 2007 by Alexey Belyy.
“Jake's swim really set the tone for us and we just went from there,” said Head Coach Chris Hansen.
Parsonage was next in the 100 fly, posting a CSUB record and NCAA “B” cut 48.26 in his preliminary heat, then coming back to place third in 48.67.
McKenzie took his turn in the 100 breast, lowering his own school record with a 54.88, third place finish. Leskur then rounded out the record-breaking streak, lowing his own personal CSUB record in the 100 back with a 48.89, third place finish. Both McKenzie's and Leskur's times were also NCAA “B” cuts.
In addition to the four school records, the Roadrunners also got solid performances from Mark Silvius and Vance Elmore in the 200 free and Michael Schwartz in the 100 back. Silvius swam a personal best 1:40.81, winning the consolation finals and placing ninth overall. Elmore also had a personal best time in the event, finishing 12th overall in 1:42.10. Schwartz recorded a personal best in the 100 back, placing ninth overall in 52.28.
“Mark Silvius grew up into a Division I swimmer tonight with his time in the 200 free,” said Hansen. “That was a huge swim for him.”
Through three days and 28 events, the Roadrunners continue to hold on to third place in the team standings with 396 points. Southern Methodist continues to lead the field with 582 points. Hawaii is in second with 534 points, while East Carolina (312 points) and North Dakota (218 points) trail CSUB.
The final session of the 2010 C-USA Championships is Saturday night and includes the 1,650 free, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly and 400 free relay.
