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Photo courtesy of USA Swimming

WOW!!

Ben Michaelson rocketed into swimming stratosphere at the Metropolitan Conference, February 21-23, 2003 in Glassboro, NJ.  Read what USA Swimming and College Swimming had to say about Ben's swims.
Congratulations to Ben Michaelson and Coach Tim Quill!

Updated 2003 College Conference Championships

by USA Swimming

Another top performance came out of the Metropolitan Conference as Southern Connecticut State standout Ben Michaelson won three titles in surprising fashion. The senior took the 50y free in 19.40 (the fastest time in the nation this year), the 100y free in 43.34 and the 100y fly in 45.87, the third-fastest performer ever (fifth-fastest time). All this from the two-time NCAA Division II Swimmer of the Year.

SCSU's Michaelson Shatters
Division II Marks

by CollegeSwimming.com

February 23, 2003 - Southern Connecticut Senior Ben Michaelson left only shattered records in his wake as he led Southern Connecticut State University to its first Metropolitan Conference men's swimming and diving championship at Rutgers University.

Michaelson won his fourth consecutive Metropolitan Conference swimmer of the year award with an astounding performance while setting Southern Connecticut, Metropolitan Conference, Rutgers pool and NCAA Division II records in the 50-yard freestyle, the 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly.

The two-time NCAA Division II swimmer of the year won the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 19.4 seconds, breaking the previous NCAA Division II record of 19.87 seconds and came back to win the 100-yard freestyle in 43.34 seconds, breaking the previous NCAA record of 44.16 seconds.

But his best performance probably came in the 100-yard butterfly as his time of 45.87 seconds is the second fastest American time ever in the event behind only record-holder Ian Crocker. The six-time NCAA Division II champion broke his own NCAA Division II record of 46.74 seconds.

Michaelson, who will represent the United States in the 2003 Pan American Games in August in the Dominican Republic, also teamed with Mike Ferraro (Fr., New Paltz, NY) Crocitto and Collins with a Metropolitan record time of 1:32.33 in the 200-yard medley relay.

Coach Tim Quill's Owls won the team title with 855 points in the 17-team field, tipping Division III, College of New Jersey, which was second with 813 points in the men's competition.

Ben Michaelson Quotes:

To swim the way I did last weekend was a little surprising, even to  myself. However, I think the people that were the least surprised were  myself, my coaches, and my teammates.  Maybe my swims get recognized  because they are a little bit faster than most, but the improvements I  had this weekend were on par with the improvements made by the 37 other  members of the team. The 46.7 flyer dropping to 45.8 isn't much  different than the 51.8 flyer dropping to 50.4 (which we had).  I can't give enough credit to my coaches and teammates for pushing me  to be my best, just as I try to push them to be their best every day.  As for the future, both short and long-term, I can only continue to do what I have done all along--continually better myself as an athlete in practice and put my best foot forward each time I get on the blocks. Whether or not I break a record or win a race, I can only attempt to execute the best race possible.  
 If I've proven one thing in my four years at Southern, it's that we are  not Texas, Auburn, Stanford, or Cal...and we don't have to be.  Southern is the place where all an athlete needs is the burning desire to become the best athlete he or she can be, and with hard work and
 determination, that desire will probably come true.
 
 -BM

Michaelson Named to "Duel in the Pool" Roster

Finishing third in the 100 meter butterfly with a 52.83 at the ConocoPhillips Spring Nationals,  makes Ben Michaelson, SOCO, the tenth fastest in the world and earned him a spot on the Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool team roster.  Duel in the Pool has the USA taking on Australia in the first-ever dual meet between the 2 top swimming teams in the world.  TV coverage for this event will be Saturday April 12 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET and Sunday April 13 1:30 - 3:00 ET. 

Best of luck to Ben!!