Feb. 20, 2003
Uniondale, N.Y. – Notre Dame had four men qualify for the championship finals, while sophomore Frank Krakowski shattered the Notre Dame record in the 50 freestyle, during prelims at the 2003 BIG EAST Conference meet Thursday morning in Uniondale, N.Y. The finals are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. tonight.
Leading the way for the Irish was junior Matt Obringer who qualified as the fourth seed in the 500 freestyle. Obringer’s time of 4:27.57 is only .18 seconds off the Notre Dame varsity record. Rutgers’ Sean Smith had the top time in 4:24.20.
Freshman Jamie Lutkus and junior Josh Dermott were fourth and sixth respectively in the morning prelims of the 200 individual medley. Lutkus finished in 1:51.22, while Dermott was close behind in 1:51.65. Pittsburgh’s Kenny Shelhorse had the fastest time at 1:50.23.
Krakowski was fifth in the 50 freestyle with a time of 20.45, crushing the Notre Dame varsity record of 20.73 set by Ray Fitzpatrick at the BIG EAST meet in 1999. Rutgers’ Matt Campbell qualified first in 19.83.
Others who qualified for the consolation finals tonight included sophomore Matt Bertke (10th – 4:31.44) in the 500 freestyle.
Tonight’s finals will be available on www.und.com or www.bigeast.org later this evening.