Jan. 2, 2004

Final Stats

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Michigan State men's and women's swimming and diving returned to competition Friday, dropping close meets to both Rutgers and Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. The team is on its annual winter training trip in Ft. Lauderdale through Jan. 9 and took a break from intense practice to face the Scarlet Knights and Hurricanes.

"We've worked really hard the past four days," said head coach Matt Gianiodis. "We've been training pretty hard since we arrived. Tonight was frustrating because we swam well but didn't get some of the breaks where we needed them."

The women's team lost to Miami, 121-118 and to Rutgers, 128.5-110.5, while the men lost to Rutgers, 133-110. The Miami men's team competed in diving events only.

Sophomore Ian Clutten led the Spartans with victories in the 100 breast, 200 IM and pushed the Spartans to a win in the 400 medley relay. On the women's side, Courtney Ellabarger won the 100 breast to lead the team.

Complete results from the meet were unavailable late Friday night.

Michigan State resumes competition January 16 in Evanston, Ill., when both the men's and women's teams will face Northwestern in Big Ten action.