It had been a month since they last swam in a meet, but you wouldn’t have known it watching the fourth-ranked Wolverines take on No. 7 Indiana. The Wolverines took nine of 16 events to win the meet, 165-133.
- Maureen Sullivan
- Senior Alex Vanderkaay won the 200-yard butterfly in one of his final meets at Canham Natatorium. (JEREMY CHO/Daily)
Michigan didn’t get out to its best start, as its “A” relay team came up less than three-tenths of a second short of Indiana in the 200-yard medley.
The Wolverines eventually came back, winning three straight events. They were led by junior Bobby Savulich’s come-from-behind win in the 200-yard freestyle.
It was Michigan’s first win against a ranked team since Nov. 17 against Northwestern. The Wolverines took the win in stride as preparation for the upcoming Big Ten dual meets and the conference championships next month.
“Indiana is always a battle for us,” Michigan coach Bob Bowman said. “They always bring the heat, but we were up to the task today. To come in and win by 30 points or so makes me feel happy.”
Senior Alex Vanderkaay, the defending national champion in the 400-yard individual medley, won the 200-yard butterfly but finished third in the 400 IM.
“It was a little bit of a disappointment,” Vanderkaay said. “We have four really good swimmers in that event and we should have all finished in the top four, but with every meet we get closer to where we need to be.”
Although the Wolverines have three more home dual meets on the schedule, it was Senior Day at Canham Natatorium and, as one of Michigan’s leading seniors, Vanderkaay took the time to reflect on his time in Ann Arbor.
“It feels weird that I only have a few more times swimming here as a student,” Vanderkaay said, “It’s kind of emotional.”
The meet was the second matchup between Michigan and Indiana this season. Michigan also beat Indiana on Nov. 2.
“I don’t think there was much difference between the two meets,” said Bowman. “We’re both two teams that have put our programs up there in excellence and have translated that into the national rankings.”