STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford and UC Santa Cruz provided a thrill a minute – almost literally – during men’s swimming Friday action at Avery Aquatic Center.
The not-so-traditional format featured 32 not-so-scored races in which swimmers were unaware of the event being swum until they stepped onto the blocks. A carnival wheel - which included nine different events - was spun prior to each race.
The meet provided a spectacle likely unseen in the swimming world, as the 32 races were completed in just less than one hour.
“Mission accomplished,” Stanford’s Goldman Director of Men’s Swimming Ted Knapp said of the opening meet. “This was one great hour of quality swimming, with some people racing their best event, an off event, or an event they haven’t swum since high school.
“There was the aspect of adversity in not knowing which events were going to be swum. Everyone had to get into – and stay in – that racing mentality. The spirit on the deck was great from heat to heat.”
The Cardinal will return to the pool Oct. 12 when it plays host to Indiana at noon (PT).
Continuing his All-American form was David Nolan, who was a four-time winner on the day (50 free – 20.52, 100 IM – 50.33, 100 fly – 49.70, 50 breast – 26.38).
Gray Umbach (100 back – 51.15, 100 IM – 50.84, 100 fly – 49.78) took three of four races in his heat. Thomas Stephens (50 free – 21.29, 50 fly – 23.21) won a pair of races in his heat.
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