IU sends 2 swimmers to NCAAs

It has been a season of ups and downs for the men’s swimming and diving team.
After a regular season in which they went 1-6 in dual meets, the Hoosiers finished fifth at the Big Ten Championships in February.

Although most swimmers were done competing after that, two Hoosiers still have something left to prove.

IU will send senior Aaron Opell and junior Doug Spraul to the NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships this week in Columbus, Ohio.

The swimmers were selected to attend NCAA championships based on qualification times achieved throughout the season.

Opell heads into competition with the top seed in the 200 breaststroke. His time of 1:54.00 is a school record and gave him an individual title at the Big Ten Championships, which were also held in Columbus. Opell also qualified for the 100 breaststroke.

Sprual will compete in the 100 and 200 backstroke. He has been swimming well recently, finishing fourth in the 200 backstroke in his first championship final in the Big Ten Championship.

The two men will look to continue the success the Hoosiers have had toward the end of the season. The team was plagued by injuries this season, but it pulled together for what IU coach Ray Looze said was its best possible performance at the Big Ten Championships.

Last year, the Hoosiers finished 25th at the NCAA Championships with 25 points.