College Swimming
Five Broncs Competed at Charlotte Ultra Swim in May

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Five members of the Rider University men's swimming team competed at the 2012 Charlotte UltraSwim sponsored by USA Swimming in May.

The 28th annual long course meet was held at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center in downtown Charlotte and was the sixth stop of the USA Swimming Grand Prix tour.

"This was a special meet for this group of guys and for our program because we haven't competed as a team on a national stage like this since USA Swimming hosted a Spring National Championship meet in 2002 in Minneapolis, Minnesota," said head coach Steve Fletcher.  "At that time, we were represented by Dave van Heerden '02, Sam Engle '05, Bobby DeSandre '05, Brandon Pierce '04 and Dave Hoover '04."

For the Broncs and the Rough Riders Aquatic Club, rising sophomore Drew Peterson (Boulder City, Nev./Boulder City) was 21st in the 200 long course IM (2:07.21), 21st in the 400 long course freestyle (4:02.63) and 24th in the 400 long course IM (4:33.61).

Last summer, Peterson swam 4:27.99 in the 400 long course IM at the 2011 Speedo Junior National Championships hosted by Stanford University to qualify for the 2012 United States Olympic Trials June 25-July 2 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Johnny Funk (Las Vegas, Nev./Southeast Career & Tech. Academy), who is entering his senior season, also swam in three events, finishing 39th in the 50 long course back (28.89), 44th in the 200 long course IM (2:10.62) and 65th in the 100 long course back (1:02.19).

Another rising senior, Brian Molloy (Toms River/Toms River HS East), swam in two events, placing 41st in the 100 long course free (52.19) and 49th in the 200 long course free (1:55.61).

Julien Hensen (Delafield, Wis./Kettle Moraine), who just completed his junior season, placed 45th in the 100 long course breast with a time of 1:06.68.

Funk, Rider graduate Mike Tubb (Swedesboro/St. Augustine Prep), Hensen and Molloy placed fourth in the 400 long course medley realy with a time of 4:03.03.

"Competing in this environment tests our athletes at a new level and motivates them to endure the next training cycle with more energy and focus," Fletcher said.  "It creates a new standard, and gives them something to shoot for.  It's important for our team to be involved in top level USA Swimming sanctioned meets like the UltraSwim Grand Prix.  Many of our athletes started swimming with goals to achieve success within the USA Swimming schedule and format.  The NCAA calendar shouldn't prevent them from continuing to pursue these goals.  Success in one season complements the other."

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