March 19, 2007
Dobies, a native of
"I lost time at the start when I got a poor push-off," Dobies said. "I tried to catch up in the first 50 yards, but I didn't have any energy left in the last 50 yards."
Despite clocking the second-best time in school history on the national stage, head coach Wally Morton said the ultra-competitive Dobies always strives to improve.
"Jakub is not exactly happy with his performance, but that just shows what a great competitor he is," Morton said. "It was a really tough competition because he was there by himself with no teammates to help him get ready. And when you're swimming in just one event, it is difficult to get warmed up."
Dobies, the first CSU swimmer to qualify for the national meet in 20 years, joined Morton's squad in January after competing on the national level in
"I'm used to swimming in big meets like this," Dobies said. "The competition here was outstanding. Everyone here is capable of swimming at the national level."
The race ended what was a spectacular first semester for Dobies, who broke the school record in the 100 breast (55.29) in his very first meet at CSU and was named Horizon League Newcomer of the Year after winning both breaststroke events at the league championships. It is likely that this appearance at the NCAA's won't be his last as he was one of just two freshmen among the 41 swimmers in the 100 breast.
Dalman, who finished 18th in one-meter diving on Thursday, fell just short of All-America status with a score of 330.80 in his six dives off the three-meter boards. The senior from
"Chris competed well and did a nice job," diving coach Rich Karban said. "Finishing in the top 20 in the country is pretty good. It's one of the greatest performances in school history."
The Vikings, who placed second at the Horizon League Championships, return all but three starters from this year's team that went 11-3 in dual action.
"Going to the NCAA Championships capped a great year for us," Morton said. "This has allowed our athletes and our program to take a step forward."