Fifth-ranked Michigan tuned up for the impending Big Ten men’s swimming championships by setting six pool records at East Lansing to dunk Michigan State for the 34th consecutive year.
Freshman Aaron Whitaker (Chesterton) led off record-setting teams in the 200-yard medley (1:28.98) and 400 medley (3:15.65) relays. He also placed third in the 50 butterfly to help the unbeaten Wolverines extend their dual-meet winning streak to 41.
In the women’s meet, Michigan State’s Rachael Bukowski (Crown Point) took fifth in the 50 freestyle. The Big Ten women’s championships start on Feb. 18 in Columbus, Ohio, and the men’s meet in Iowa City will begin on Feb. 25.
Chesterton grad Olivia Kabacinski (LaPorte) owns Iowa school records in the 50 (22.70) and 100 (49.84) freestyle events, but switched to the 50 breaststroke and 100 IM to take seconds in closing victories against Northern Iowa and Western Illinois.
Led by Ryan Hooker (Rensselaer), DePauw will compete in the North Coast Conference championships this week. Hooker anchored the first-place Tigers in the 400 freestyle relay (3:06.04) and placed second in the 200 butterfly in a closing double dual at Chicago.
Basketball
Rose-Hulman’s Collin Wojcik (Schererville/Andrean) came off the bench to score 15 points in an 81-79 victory despite a 24-point effort by Manchester’s Matt Brown (Hobart). Wojcik also netted 11 points against Earlham.
IUPUI’s Elijah Ray (Gary/Bowman) is averaging just 4.5 points and 4.2 rebounds, but racked up 12 points against South Dakota State. He also hit double figures against Richmond and Oral Roberts.
Teammate Josh James (Cedar Lake/Andrean) has started seven games.
Indianapolis’ Princess German (Gary/Bowman) boosted her average to 18.1 points with a 21-point second half in a loss to Missouri-St. Louis. She is also averaging 2.8 rebounds.
Valparaiso transfer Clay Yeo, now starring for Bethel, was recently named the NAIA Division II national player of the week. He scored 50 points in two victories, including an upset of top-ranked Indiana Wesleyan. In that stretch he sank 17-for-27 shots.
Yeo is averaging 18 points. Bethel carries a 22-4 record, including 15 straight on the road.
Indiana Wesleyan’s Nate Bubash (Munster) contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds to a victory over Huntington. The Wildcats (24-2) have won four in a row.
Wrestling
Hanover Central grad Paul Petrov (Cedar Lake) carries a 20-4 record at Bucknell, which is celebrating its third straight 20-win season and recently beat American for its eighth straight victory. The 125-pound junior’s credits include four pins and two major decisions.
More Top Picks Best Panel Carts
Bucknell’s 13-3 record is the school’s all-time best.
Tennis
Indiana’s Katie Klyczek (Munster/Andrean) improved her record to 13-3 with victories over DePaul’s Patricia Lancranjan (6-4, 4-6, 6-4) and Butler’s Baily Padgett (6-1, 6-2). She is 15-4 in doubles, teaming with five different partners.
John Mutka is a freelance writer.