Swimming & Diving

Feb. 3, 2012

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EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's swimming and diving team will close out their dual season, just as the women previously did, with a final matchup down in Ann Arbor. The Spartans are coming off a two-week break from competition and will take on the No. 4 Wolverines at noon inside Canham Natatorium. Live stats for the meet can be found here.

In-State Rivals
Last year, the Spartans also closed out their season against the Wolverines on Senior Day at the Charles McCaffree Pool in IM West, and fell just short with a 167-125 loss. Michigan currently holds an 82-5 overall record against MSU.

Schedule of Events - Beginning at 12 p.m.
100 backstroke
100 breaststroke
100 butterfly
400 individual medley
200 freestyle
50 freestyle
200 individual medley
200 medley relay
200 butterfly
100 freestyle
200 backstroke
500 freestyle
200 breaststroke
200 freestyle relay

Last Time Out
The MSU men last competed two weeks ago in a co-ed dual at Notre Dame. The Spartans came up short, falling to the Fighting Irish 174-121. However, the team picked up five individual titles and one relay during the competition. Jacob Jarzen led the men with three individual titles in the 100 backstroke (49.85), 200 backstroke (1:48.84) and 200 IM (1:52.72). Bryan Williams was also a standout for the squad, leading the way in the 100 and 200 butterflies, swimming to a first-place finish in both. Williams posted a 49.30 in the 100 fly and 1:50.11 in the 200 fly.

Where We Rank
After several months of competition, the Spartan men have notched numerous victories and top times, earning them conference recognition as well as national rankings.

Nationally, Jacob Jarzen has posted a pair of top-50 times and another in the top-25. Currently, Jarzen posts the 13th best time in the nation in the 100 butterfly at 47.36. In the 100 backstroke, Jarzen sits in 39th place with a time of 48.27 and is in 34th place in the 200 backstroke at 1:45.30.

Sophomore Bryan Williams has also had a strong showing this season, standing at 39th in the national rankings with a 1:47.42 finish in the 200 butterfly.

On the relay side, the Spartans boast two top-50 national times. MSU ranks 42nd in the 400 medley relay (3:18.67) and 50th in the 200-medley relay (1:30.24).

Conference Kudos
The Spartans have picked up a total of seven weekly Big Ten awards this season. Senior diver Sarah Clay tabbed with the honor the week of Nov. 22nd after helping lead the Spartans to a win over St. Bonaventure on Nov. 18. Thus far this season, Clay has recorded three first-place finishes on the 1-meter board and four on the 3-meter board.

MSU swept the Big Ten weekly honors during the week of Dec. 14. Five Spartans picked up six awards, for their performances against Ball State. The Green and White picked up both men's and women's Swimmer and Diver of the Week as well as the newly instated Freshman of the Week accolade. Those honored include: sophomores Bryan Williams, senior Brian Akers, freshman Hunter Bartlett, junior Jenny Rusch, and freshman Alison Menzies.

Community Activists
Members of the Michigan State swimming and diving team lent their support to the community by volunteering at the Lansing Salvation Army on Friday (Dec. 16). In conjunction with the Salvation Army and the Toys for Tots program, the Spartans helped sort toys and escort families who were picking up items for the holiday season.

Next Up
The Spartans will take a two-and-a-half week hiatus to prepare for the Big Ten Championships in Iowa City mid-February. The four-day competition begins Wednesday, Feb. 22 and runs through Saturday Feb. 25.

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