Coming Off the Deck
Steve Fischer Breaks Own 200-IM School Record at Weekend's MAC Championships
Voelker Also Makes Successful Debut at MACs
SELINSGROVE, (Pa.) - Susquehanna University junior Steve Fischer of Ridgewood (Ridgewood H.S.) broke his school record in the men's 200-yard individual medley, also placing fourth in the 100-breast and swimming a leg on the 200-free relay team, at last weekend's Middle Atlantic Conference Swimming Championships at Widener University. Meanwhile, freshman Ben Voelker of Mechanicsburg (Trinity High School) made the top six in two individual events, was 10th in another, and swam on three relays at MACs. They helped his team place sixth out of nine teams, and were key performers as the squad finished its season at an even 5-5 for its best record since 1990-91 under 20th-year head coach Ged Schweikert.
Although Fischer was not expected to swim at championships due to sickness, he talked Schweikert out of scratching him for the meet. He went on to break his own school record in the 200-IM with a 2:03.72 to place third in the event (Old Record: 2:05.59, 1998 at MAC Championships). Fischer was also fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke with the team's season best time of 1:04.25 - third-fastest in school history. He also swam on the fourth-place 200-yard freestyle relay team, which swam a season best time of 1:32.82.
"Steve showed an incredible amount of determination swimming this weekend," said Schweikert, "Seeing him in the pool really gave both the men's and women's teams a boost."
A biology major, Fischer is the daughter of Raymond and Corinne Fisher of Ridgewood.
Voelker was third in the 100-yard butterfly with the team's season best time of :55.22 - second-fastest in school history (Record: :54.94, Rob Mark, 1992). He also placed fourth in the conference in the 200-butterfly with a season best time of 2:07.98 - also second-fastest all-time at Susquehanna (Record: 2:05.07, Steve Fischer, 1998). Voelker was also 10th in the 50-yard freestyle (:23.34), and swam on Susquehanna's fourth-place 200-yard freestyle relay team (1:32.82), fifth-place 400-yard medley relay (3:54.10), and sixth-place 400-freestyle relay (3:28.00). All the relays were season best times.
"Ben just had a great freshman season. He can do some real spectacular things here if he continues to develop," said Schweikert.
A business major, Voelker is the son of Keith and Anita Voelker of Mechanicsburg.
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