Although the NIU men’s swimming team finished last at Friday and Saturday’s University of Illinois Illini Classic, it wasn’t a total disaster. The meet did include noteworthy performances from several Huskies’ swimmers.

NIU’s Steve Beck took second place in the 1,650-yard freestyle (16:31.54) along with a third-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle (4:47.11).

“Looking at the results, I think our best people can compete with the best,” said NIU men’s swimming coach Dave Clark. “Unfortunately, as you go down the line in individual event standings, we run out of ‘best’ people before they do.”

“I really thought we had some decent times, despite swimming tired. That means our guys were focused enough to put the pain out of their minds and just race.”

Also drawing praise was Jason Pettit for near-season best times. Pettit finished fourth in both the 100-yard (:56.78) and 200-yard (2:05.37) backstrokes. NIU’s diving corps also did its share with Bryan Hanania taking fourth on the one-meter board (402.85), and fifth on the three-meter (386.00).

The Huskies return to dual-meet action Friday by facing the University of Illinois-Chicago in a 6 p.m. coed meet in Chicago.