CSUN Swimmers May Be Left Out in the Cold

For 12 consecutive years Cal State Northridge has finished first or second in the NCAA Division II men’s swimming and diving championships. The Matadors have won nine titles during that span, including five of the past six.

But the streak could end this weekend at the Belmont Plaza pool in Long Beach, because, of all things, the common cold.

The cold belongs to Sean Parker, Northridge’s top backstroker, who has been running a 103-degree temperature for most of the past week. He was expected to score in at least two individual events and, most importantly, help the Matadors win the 400 medley relay.

“We’re seeded first in that relay, but if he doesn’t swim well we have no chance,” CSUN Coach Pete Accardy said. “He’s been back in the water for only three days. It’s hard to be optimistic.”

Accardy conjectured, before Parker’s illness, the Matadors needed to swim “almost perfect” to beat defending champion Cal State Bakersfield and Oakland, Mich. in the four-day competition that begins at 10 this morning.

And without a healthy Parker? “The chances of winning are very slim,” Accardy said. “But strange things sometimes happen.”

Accardy rated Bakersfield as a heavy favorite to defend the title it won last year, breaking CSUN’s five-year hold on the championship.

The Roadrunners have nine swimmers who were All-Americans in last year’s national meet. Bartt Frey and Rick Graves were co-MVPs at the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. meet three weeks ago. Frey will compete in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyles, while Graves will swim the 200 backstroke and 200 and 400 individual medleys.

Bakersfield will send 18 swimmers--the maximum allowed by the NCAA--into competition.

Northridge qualified 12 swimmers and two divers for the meet, including Jeff Kubiak, winner of three events last year.

Kubiak has the nation’s fastest times in the 200 individual medley and the 100 and 200 breaststroke.

In women’s competition, Northridge is expected to challenge defending champion Clarion, Pa., for the team championship.

Jude Kylander of CSUN has swam 23.80 in the 50 free, the fastest Division II time in the nation this year. Tina Schnare and Stacy Mettam combined to win four individual titles and two relays as freshmen last year. The Matadors also should pick up points from Lisa Dial, the most outstanding women’s swimmer at this year’s CCAA meet, and Xiao Xia Chen, who is one of the top entrants in 1-meter and 3-meter diving.