Entering the final day of competition, the Wolverines had their opponents right where they wanted them. Or so they thought.

Last year at the USA Swimming Short Course Nationals, the Michigan men’s swimming team was in second after two days, only to come from behind and clinch a second consecutive Short Course Nationals win. This year, however, the third day wasn’t as kind. The Wolverines couldn't complete the three-peat and finished second to rival and host Ohio State.

But the Wolverines were content with their second place finish, given the circumstances. This year, the team competed in many more events than it had in the past two years at the Short Course Nationals, which meant less rest and more swimming.

Junior Dan Madwed was the lone Wolverine to medal at this year's Short Course, finishing third in the 200-yard butterfly. For Madwed, who was a member of Michigan’s previous two Short Course champion teams, the meet wasn’t about medaling or even coming in second place as a team — it was about learning what this team has going forward and how hard it can push itself.

“We swam in as many events as possible," Madwed said. "Other teams didn’t do that and scratched some events, but we really wanted to see what we have for later in the year. You never know how hard you can push yourself until you do it.”

The Wolverines didn’t view the event as a must-win, but rather as a chance to improve and bond together as a team. The Short Course Nationals was the last opportunity for Blue, before the Orange Bowl Classic in January, to see what they had in the tank.

“We treated this like a training meet to see what we have for later in the year," Madwed said. "I think it was a good step forward although it may not look like it."

For many swimmers, the meet was a great learning experience. Freshman Kyle Whitaker was among the many swimmers who stepped up and contributed to the Wolverines’ effort. He notched a fourth-place finish in the 400-yard individual medley, sixth place in the 200-yard individual medley and also a 12th-place finish in the 200-yard butterfly. Whitaker was the highest scorer of all Wolverine swimmers this weekend.

“Confidence and being excited really helps swimming fast,” Whitaker said. “We really did a great job of supporting each other, and getting behind each other.”

This great team spirit didn't go unnoticed by Michigan coach Mike Bottom.

“(Finishing second) this weekend was a matter of swimming against teams that were ready to go,” Bottom said. “The fact that we were able to compete against more prepared teams gives us the confidence that we can step up and swim against anybody.”

Despite losing to the Buckeyes, the second-place finish gave them swimmers confidence moving forward. For some swimmers, they learned their limits. For others, they learned what it takes to win races. But for all swimmers, this weekend gave a taste of competition they'll be facing all season and a great deal of confidence to go with it.

“When you do good jobs in races, you build confidence," Whitaker said. "Swimming fast also really builds our confidence and confidence helps with swimming fast. It comes hand in hand. Where we are at this point in the season we were really happy with how we swam.”