Mustangs Conclude Competition At European Championships
Dec 10 | General
Dec. 10, 2006
HELSINKI, Finland (SMU) - Swimmers at the European Short Course Championship concluded their four-day competition today.
After his record setting performances in the prelims and semi-finals of the 100 IM yesterday, Alex Hetland of the men's swimming and diving team achieved a life dream today in the 100 IM. After topping his career best yesterday, he topped that time today when he swam a time of 53.70 for third place. This was Hetland's first European Championship medal and he was also honored with Newcomer of the Year.
"It was the toughest race of my life," Hetland said. "I made a few mistakes during the breast-stroke and freestyle but nevertheless I clocked my best time. It is my very first European medal. I have been dreaming of that for ten years.''
Luka Vrtovec raced against SMU alum and current record-holder, Lars Froelander in the 50 fly. The pair clocked a time of 23.95 making it a three-way tie for ninth place in the prelims. Vrtovec continued in the semi-finals where he set the pace for a 15th place finish, clocking in at 24.08.
Former Mustang, Martina Moravcova added another European medal to her list today as she swam a time of 57.59 in the 100 fly this afternoon for third place.
In the 200 free, Petra Klosova made the steady pace for 28th place with a time of 2:01.62. Fellow teammate, Anja Carman cruised to a 13th place finish in the 200 back with a time of 2:11.06.
Both the men and women teams will dive in the water again next weekend at the Kerr McGee Elite Meet in Oklahoma City, Okla.
