By T.J. Berka
Daily Sports Writer
For the past four seasons, the Michigan men's swimming and diving team has been through it all, going undefeated in Big Ten dual meets, winning three conference championships, and taking the NCAA title in 1995.
With this in mind, it was no surprise that when the Wolverines needed a relay victory to defeat Ohio State on Saturday afternoon on Senior Recognition Day, the task was left up to senior captain John Piersma.
"I didn't really think that it would come down to the last relay, but there is no way I'm going to lose the last race as a Michigan senior in our home pool," Piersma said.
Piersma, who swam the anchor leg of the 400-yard freestyle, combined with Derya Buyukuncu, Chris Rumley and John Reich to help the Wolverines win, 146.5-135.5.
"We had confidence in our relay," Michigan coach Jon Urbanchek said. "That relay is the best that Michigan can put together."
Pacing the Wolverines was freshman Mike McWha, who won the 1,650 and 500 free events. McWha was the only Wolverine to win multiple events Saturday.
"(McWha) has been very consistent all year," Urbanchek said. "He always comes through when we need him."
McWha led the Wolverines in the distance events, in which Michigan outscored the Buckeyes, 42-15.
The Wolverines took the first three spots in the 1,650, with Reich and Andy Potts finishing behind McWha.
Junior Owen von Richter took second to McWha in the 500 free and won the 400 individual medley in his first action since November.
Von Ritcher had been sidelined until this weekend with a heart condition.
The emergence of the distance swimmers was the key to the meet, after Tom Malchow had to withdraw from his signature event, the 200 butterfly, due to an asthma attack.
"We have too many asthmatics on the team, and unfortunately (Malchow) had an asthma attack during the 400 IM," Urbanchek said.
"It kind of helped Ohio State bounce back and get some momentum. It made a good meet out of it. Otherwise, it probably would have been lopsided."
Marko Strahija and Kevin Kling also helped make the meet competitive for the Buckeyes, each winning two events.
Strahija took the 100 and 200 backstroke events and Kling grabbed the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
The Buckeyes also dominated the diving events, taking the first three places in the one-meter springboard, and came in first and third in the three-meter event.
Buyukuncu registered the only other Michigan victory, winning the 100 fly.
He also tied Buckeye Scott Osweicinski for second place in the 50 free.
The victory capped off a successful weekend for the Wolverines, who trashed Michigan State, 139-75, Friday night in East Lansing.
Keeping with the theme of the weekend, senior Toby Booker led the charge for Michigan with victories in the 200 IM and 200 back.
Fellow Michigan seniors Chris Rumley and Piersma also pulled out victories against the Spartans, as did von Richter, McWha and Malchow.
JONATHAN SUMMER/Daily
Michigan freshman Mike McWha was the only Wolverine to win multiple events Saturday to defeat Ohio State, 146.5-135.5.