Wabash sophomore Michael Belanger (Crawfordsville, IN/Crawfordsville) broke the school record in the 1650-yard freestyle in the first men's event at the University of Miami Invitational Thursday night.
Belanger's time of 16:36.60 broke the previous mark of 16:38.00 set by Gary Mineart '01 at the Midwest Invitational in 1999. Belanger's swim included a finishing flurry that was timed at 1:29.03 over the final 150 yards.
Wabash also participated in the 800 freestyle relay on Thursday. Belanger, Brent Graham (FR/Ft. Wayne, IN/Homestead), Zach Manker (SR/Grand Rapids, MI/Northview (photo right), and Jordon Blackwell (FR/Veedersburg, IN/Crawfordsville) combined for a time of 7:13.78. The Little Giants are competing against teams such as the University of Denver, the University of Cincinnati, along with North Coast Athletic Conference powerhouses Kenyon and Denison.
Wabash has split its team for the weekend. Six Little Giants will represent the program at the Miami meet. The rest of the swimmer will participate in the DePauw Invitational beginning Friday. The diving team will host the Wabash Diving Invitational Friday night and Saturday morning at the Class of 1950 Natatorium.
For more information regarding Belanger's record-setting performance and the Wabash swimming and diving team, check out head coach Peter Casares' blog, Lanelines.
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