Michigan State Swimming Continues Action at Auburn Invitational

Dec. 5, 2003

AUBURN, Ala. - Michigan State swimming and diving continued competition at the Auburn Invitational Friday as sophomore Ian Clutten (Capetown, South Africa/Westerford) took first-place honors in the 100 breaststroke with a mark of 55.29, a provisional NCAA qualifying time. Clutten also helped the 200 medley relay team to a win, as teammates Rudolf Wagenaar (Capetown, South Africa/Grey College), Nick Harley (Rockford, Mich.) and Jason Vadney (Taylor Mill, Ky./Scott) combined for a time of 1:31.24 to take top honors.

The women's team was anchored by Courtney Ellabarger's (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) runner-up finish in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:04.18 while Tammy Jones (Conyers, Ga./Salem) took third in the 100 fly, touching the wall in 55.57.

For the women, the 200 medley relay team of Katrina Kniff (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids), Ellabarger, Jones and Eve Bruise (Grand Haven, Mich.) combined for a time of 1:44.42 to place second in the event while the same four combined in the 200 free relay for a fifth-place finish in 1:39.69.

In the 50 free, Brusie led the Spartans with a seventh place finish and a time of 23.75. Taking eighth and ninth, respectively, Jones finished with a time of 23.77 while Kniff touched the wall in 23.81.

On the men's side, the 400 medley relay team of Wagenaar, Clutten, Harley and Vadney finished second in the event with a combined time of 3:19.89. The same four teamed up in the 200 free relay for a time of 1:23.26, finishing third.

In the 100 backstroke, Wagenaar took fourth-place honors with his mark of 50.68 as Vadney placed seventh with a time of 4:32.86 in the 500 free and in the 200 free he garnered fifth-place accolades with a mark of 1:39.68.

In the 50 free, Harley placed 11th with a time of 21.28 while he posted a 13th place finish in the 100 fly with a time of 51.75.