Big 8 tilt goes to Mad. Memorial

In a big early-season test for Madison Memorial, the Spartans easily handled Big 8 rival Verona in a tri-dual at Janesville Craig Friday night.

Memorial used its superior depth to outpoint the Wildcats 106-64. The teams split 10 of the 11 races in the meet, but Memoria's three relay wins, combined with plenty of 2nd-through-5th places, gave it the victory over Verona. Michael Drives was the lone individual winner for the Spartans, taking the 200 free (1:46.91) and the breaststroke (1:01.24). Verona's Derek Toomey continued his strong season with wins in both sprints (22.02 50 free; 48.74 100 free), and was joined as a double-winner for the Wildcats by junior Spencer Ritt (54.84 fly/58.62 back).

In the best race of the night, Verona senior Jacob Olandt just out-touched Memorial sophomore Patrick Franken in the 500 free, 4:55.98 to 4:55.99. If anyone is hankering for a spot in the D1 state meet this year, it's certainly Olandt. Two years ago, he came within three spots of qualifying for state. Last year, his sectional time of 5:00.31 was the 24th-fastest in the state, but he was knocked out of the state meet by a slower automatic sectional winner qualifier. His times so far indicate he's determined to take his place on the starting blocks this year in the 500.

One final note -- keep an eye on Janesville Craig junior Alex Loftus. His win in the 200 IM was the only one by a Craig swimmer at the meet, and his time -- 2:02.88 -- is one of the fastest posted in D1 this season.