Feb. 22, 2008

Results

EAST MEADOW, N.Y.-- Senior Warren Barnes and freshman Andrzej Dubiel record second=place finishes on the third night of the Big East Championships held in Nassau County Aquatics Center. The men's swimming and diving team holds to third with 280.5 points.

Improving upon their prelims times, Barnes (Pickering, Ont./Dunbarton) and junior Adam Plutecki (Zielona Gora, Poland/Zielona Gora) recorded second and third, respectively, in the 100 breast finals.

Barnes' time of 53.93 in the race was a 2007 NCAA qualifying mark and is a personal best for him. Plutecki also got closer to an automatic bid with a time of 54.37.

Also claiming second, Dubiel (Dzierzoniow, Poland/School of Sport Championships) turned in a 49.36 in the 100 back in his first conference championship.

Earlier after trailing most of the race, senior Jared Martin (Richmond, Va./Nova) passed the Notre Dame swimmer and slipped into sixth in the finals of the 400 IM at 3:59.16 for the Panthers.

In the consolation heat prior to Martin swimming, junior Jonathan Buchanan (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek) and senior Chris George (Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School) placed 10th and 16th overall.

Earning 14th overall, junior B.J. Conklyn (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) turned in a season-best 57.80 in the consolation heat of the 100 breast.

Junior Andrew Burkey (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) and sophomore Geoff Morgan (Cornwall, N.Y./Cornwall Central) rounded out the swimmers in the consolation heat of the 100 fly with 15th and 16th overall performances.

Also placing 16th on the day, freshman Alex McLaren (North Saanich, B.C./Stellys Secondary) turned in a 1:42.96 in the consolation heat of the 200 free.

In an exciting consolation heat, senior Steve Jackson (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) battled with two other swimmers down the last 25 yard before being outlasted for third in the heat and 11th overall with a time of 50.95.

Pitt's 400 medley relay of Dubiel, Barnes, Morgan and Plutecki claimed a fourth-place performance at 3:18.14 in the final event of the night.

The Big East Championships conclude on Saturday with the 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, 1650 free, men's 3M diving and the 400 free relay.

Coverage of the Big East Championships can be viewed at www.bigeast.org for a one-time fee of $9.95.