In true swimming parlance, NIU’s men’s squad was “out-touched,” 152-148 by the University of Notre Dame.

Although the Huskies took first place in nine of 16 events, the “luck” of the Irish persisted in Friday’s meet at UND’s Rolfs Aquatic Center. Depth was the key difference.

“I wish I could find a part of the meet to be upset over, something that we could’ve done different to win the meet for us, but we swam well and Notre Dame just swam great,” NIU coach Dave Clark said. “We just missed breaking five school records.

“We won nine of 16 events. The problem was that when we won, we went first and fourth or first and fifth, but when Notre Dame won, they were going first, third and fourth or else first, third and fifth. In other words, every place finish, even the fifth places were crucial in determining who won,” Clark explained.

NIU’s Art Sanchez turned in the Huskies’ top effort by winning two events and swimming on two triumphant relay units. Sanchez touched first in the 50-yard freestyle (:21.18) and the 100-yard butterfly (:51.86) while also swimming a leg for the 200-yard medley relay (1:36.72) and the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:25.95).

Mark Oostman was also a double-winner claiming blue ribbons in the 100-yard breaststroke (:58.85) and 200-yard breaststroke (2:09.92), plus he joined the victorious 200-yard medley relay unit. NIU’s other first-place finishers included: Steve Beck, 1,000 yard freestyle (9:53.72); Bill Zolna, 200-yard butterfly (1:53.63); and Steve Sanders, 500-yard freestyle (4:42.12).