Alabama's Vlad Polyakov Wins U.S. Open Title
12/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Alabama swimmers dominated the field of the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2004 U.S. Open Swimming Championships, held in San Antonio, Texas this week, sweeping the top two spots.
Sophomore Vlad Polyakov won the event with a pool record 1:01.94, just off U.S. Open meet record. He was followed by sophomore Hunor Mate', who posted a 1:02.69. The duo finished nearly a second ahead of the rest of the field.
"Vlad and Hunor swam lights out tonight," head coach Eric McIlquham said. "Vlad broke another pool record while Hunor shaved a second off his life-time best."
Alabama was also red hot in the 50m freestyle, taking second in both the men and women's race. Sophomore Apostolis Tsagkarakis touched a 23.31, just behind Nick Brunelli while senior Arlene Semeco took second with a blistering 26.18, finishing just .04 behind first place Laura Nicholls.
Junior J.T. Jones also figured in a championship final, taking seventh in the 200 individual medley with a 2:10.79.
Action resumes Friday morning with a full slate of events.
