Jan. 29, 2002

DAYTON, OH - In its most exciting meet of the season, the Cleveland State men's swimming and diving team battled Horizon League foe Wright State down to the final event Saturday night, only to lose by 0.36 of a second. The loss, 125.50-115.50, was only the second of the season for the Vikings, dropping them to 9-2.

With both teams needing a victory in the 400-yard freestyle relay, the Cleveland State team of sophomore Warren Vickers (Durban, South Africa/Durban), juniors Brett Thomas (Berea, Ohio/Berea) and Mauricio Barrios (Panama City, Panama/The Kiski School) and senior Gustavo Barrios (Panama City, Panama/The Kiski School) came up a heartbeat short, 3:08.40-3:08.76.

Despite the loss, the Vikings continue to gain momentum toward the league championships in March.

Andrew Hancock (Cambridge, Australia/St. Mary's Senior) is on pace to secure his all-conference bid, winning three more events in Dayton. The junior distance-swimmer edged teammate Niall McGrane (Dublin, Ireland/St. Mary's Rathmines) in the 200-yard butterfly (1:55.75), cruised in the 500-yard freestyle (4:42.40), and absolutely dominated the 1,000-yard freestyle (9:38.10), winning by nearly 20 seconds.

Lyle Wilkens (Bloemfontein, South Africa/Grey College) is finding that the 200-yard events are his specialty. The part-time golfing sophomore took first in the 200-backstroke (1:56.99) and the 200-IM (1:58.73).

Vickers, another South African, picked up a first-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle, swimming a 1:42.06.

The men will be joined by the CSU women's team at home this Saturday for a 2 p.m. contest with Valparaiso in Busbey Natatorium.