LAS VEGAS, Nev.-UNLV defeated CSU Bakersfield 197-81 in
the 2011-12 men's swimming opener Saturday afternoon at Buchanan Natatorium.
Freshman Troy Nekalson (Seattle, Wash., Aviation HS) won
both diving events. Nekalson posted a score of 247.80 to take home the 1m
event. His score of 251.45 earned him the 3m event.
Peter Bardessono (Sr., Elverta, Calif., American River
College) finished second in the 100 backstroke (:51.40) and 200 backstroke
(1:53.43).
Chris Pipes (Sr., Fresno, Calif., Merced College) and
Mitch Wurm (Jr., Mesa, Ariz., Dobson HS) were second and third in the 100m
freestyle. Pipes swam a time of :46.47 while Wurm went :47.80. Pipes also came
in second in the 50m free in a time of :21.16.
In relay action, the 400m freestyle squad of Bardessono, Pipes,
Joao Foresto (R-Jr., Marilia, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Cristol Rei HS) and Alex
Daneke (Jr., Lodi, Calif., Lodi HS) were second in a time of 3:05.92.
The 200 medley relay of Bardessono, Brian Martinez (So.,
Las Vegas, Nev., Arbor HS), Dan Wickensheimer (Jr. Fort Wayne, Ind.,
Bakersfield Stockdale HS), and Pipes were second (1:33.84).
"It's hard to tell how we swam
today because we are swimming two weeks earlier then we have competed before,"
said CSUB director of swimming Chris Hansen. "However, we swam some really fast
swims this early. The 400 free relay of Bardessono, Pipes, Foresto and Daneke posted
a time that only a handful of teams have as fast gone this early."
"Chris Pipes and Mitch Wurm are
posting times faster now in the 50 and 100 frees than they swam all last year,"
Hansen continued. "I was pleased that Troy (Neklason) was able to win both
diving events. Peter (Bardessono) showed the team what a hard summer of
training can do. He posted three in season best times today. Today's meet was a
great set up to the reminder of the season."
The Roadrunners return to the
poll Oct. 22 at the USC Invitational.
~www.GoRunners.com~
