Men's swimming touched-out

By Mike Bloom

Daily Sports Writer

Canham Natatorium hosted 11 members of the U.S. Olympic swim team this weekend. No, Michigan wasn't hosting the qualifiers for the 2004 summer games in Athens. Canham was the site of the ninth-ranked Wolverines' meet against No. 1 Texas.

Both coaches - Michigan's Jon Urbanchek and Texas' Eddie Reese - served as assistants to the U.S. swimming team in Sydney. A combined seven male swimmers from the two teams made the journey down under, flying home with enough metal in their bags to send the detectors into a frenzy.

The Wolverines' lone medalist, senior co-captain Chris Thompson, took home the bronze in the 1500-yard freestyle. The five other medals hung around the necks of the Longhorns, adding to their aura of intimidation.

Anchored by Thompson's wins in the 500- and 1000-yard freestyles, the Wolverines hung tough but fell 15 points short in a 127.50-112.5 final.

With nagging injuries to key Michigan swimmers, a remarkable upset was unlikely from the start.

Junior Jeff Hopwood watched from the bleachers while resting a groin injury. Two-time NCAA champion Tim Siciliano made his return to the water still nursing a sore shoulder. Testing out the muscles above his "M"-tattooed tricep, he was pleased with the resulst.

"The 200 (individual medley) was slow, definitely, but it felt strong the whole way through," Siciliano said.

Urbanchek used this weekend as a benchmark to see how much improvement is needed before the conference championships. Hosting the nation's best squad, there was no better time to break out the measuring stick.

"In swimming, everything is geared for the final meet, which is the conference championships and the NCAAs," Urbanchek said.

"Bringing in the No. 1 team in the country forces you to perform to the best of your ability, and I think we accomplished that."

The Olympic-esque atmosphere excited swimmers, coaches and viewers alike. Results aside, those in attendance could appreciate the remarkable amount of talent in the water.

"I think this was an awesome meet. It's a once-in-a lifetime chance when you see 11 Olympians in one afternoon, in one setting," Urbanchek said.

In spite of the magnitude of the meet, the competitors' minds weren't entirely on swimming. Hurrying to his car for a football update, Urbanchek said, "Too bad we scheduled it against the Ohio State football game."

BRANDON SEDLOFF/Daily

Michigan seemed doomed from the start as injuries hampered its chances against Texas. The Longhorns won by 15 points.