Big Ten Conference domination, plain and simple.
These words sum up Michigan coach Jon Urbanchek's rule as the head man of Michigan men's swimming.
If dominant athletic programs define the reputation of universities, then Michigan is not a football, basketball or even a hockey school. Swimming is Michigan's most consistent champion.
The football team had a streak of five straight conference championships at the end of the 80s and start of the 90s.
The basketball team has one national championship, two other semifinal appearances, and a conference title in the past decade.
The hockey team has one championship, four Final Four appearances and four conference titles in the past decade.
None of them can match the swim team.
Michigan's swimmers have won an amazing 10 of the last 11 conference titles, losing only last year as many of the swimmers focused on the Olympics. Michigan's national championship in 1995 was one in a string of 10 straight seasons in which they finished in the top 10 in the nation.
Most fans would be satisfied with the Michigan football team's recent domination of Ohio State, having lost only once in the past nine years. The swimmers have not lost to the Buckeyes in a dual meet since 1962.
The Michigan State swimming team has also felt the burn of its intrastate rivals. The Spartans' last victory over Michigan was in 1967.
Urbanchek has had even better success during his tenure.
Michigan fans demand victory, especially at home. The football team has not had an undefeated home season since 1992.
The hockey team has a 31-game unbeaten streak at Yost, but Urbanchek's teams have put together a run that is unprecedented in Michigan sports.
Since 1982, Michigan has lost one home meet. The Wolverines' only loss was to a Stanford team that is always one of the best in the nation. If Michigan students are looking for a winner, they should head to Canham Natatorium.
Urbanchek has only lost two conference meets in 15 years. Urbanchek has a 71-2 conference record.
Think about that for a second.
He is winning better than 97 percent of the conference meets.
Even before Urbanchek took over, Michigan had a successful swimming program.
The Wolverines had not won the conference title since he was a swimmer here in 1960, but they had never finished below 17th at the NCAA championships while capturing six top-five finishes.
Within four years of his hiring, Urbanchek's boys had recaptured that elusive conference title that they would not relinquish until last year. Urbanchek also brought home the first national championship in the sport since his own glory days as a Wolverine.
What can Michigan expect from the team this season? Big things, according to Urbanchek. The leadership is there and so are the top swimmers. The only thing lacking is depth.
Including Olympic gold medalist Tom Dolan, a former Wolverine, "this is the best class that Michigan ever assembled here," Urbanchek said. "Depth, though, wins conference championships, and Minnesota has the depth. But Michigan has the stars."
Michigan has a chance this year to win its 30th conference swimming crown and 19th NCAA championship. And people say that Michigan is a football school.
AP PHOTO
Since Jon Urbanchek took over the reigns of the Michigan men's swimming team 15 years ago, the Wolverines have won 97 percent of their conference dual meets. Olympian Tom Malchow, above, is just one of the reasons for Michigan's success.