Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Hoosierland Open
Top-Notch Competition Continues at Hoosierland Open
11/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Nov. 16, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana women's swimming and diving team continued to work its way into championship form on day two of the Hoosierland Open at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center.
"Right now we need to work on our team chemistry," said head coach Ray Looze. "We are not hitting on all cylinders right now. We need to focus on doing things the right way and we will keep coming at it."
The night session began with the 200-yard medley relay and the team of Presley Bard, Sarah Stockwell, Donna Smailis and Brittany Epperson got things started right with an NCAA "B" cut of 1:42.36, good for second place.
In the 400-yard individual medley, Allison Kay represented IU in the championship final where she clocked a time of 4:31.68, finishing eighth. Amanda Smith was first in the consolation final with her time of 4:24.77. She was followed by Amilee Smith in fifth (4:31.58). In the first bonus final, Jessica Hill finished second with a season-best time of 4:33.15.
Donna Smailis was the top IU qualifier in the 100 butterfly, competing in the consolation final where she placed third (55.89). Prutton and Kristin Cihoski were in the first bonus final with Cihoski winning in a time of 57.36 and Prutton third (57.94-season best). Christie Fuchs was sixth (58.11) in the second bonus.
Smailis and Bard qualified for the second bonus final of the 200-yard freestyle where Bard finished first in 1:52.79 and Smailis seventh (1:56.23). Epperson was seventh in the second bonus final (1:54.64). In the consolation final it was Amanda Smith in a time of 1:53.46.
Sarah Stockwell swam her way to fourth place in the championship final of the 100 breast, coming up with a season-best of 1:03.57. Abby Cooper took second in the consolation final, finishing in season-best time of 1:04.51. Amilee Smith raced in the second bonus final (1:08.51). Hill posted a time of 1:08.75 in the first bonus final. In the prelims, Kristy Winck tallied a season-best time of 1:09.43.
Competing in the 100 backstroke final, Bard was seventh (56.67). Cihoski qualified for the consolation final where she finished second (57.27). Amy Harriman (58.33-season best) and Mariana Prutton (59.59 season best) represented IU in the second bonus final.
The second day concluded with the 800 freestyle relay as IU's team of Amanda Smith, Bard, Smailis and Epperson finished seventh (7:45.96).
Prior to tonight's championship finals, former Indiana University Chancellor Ken Gross Lewis was presented with the Marge Counsilman Service Award for his continued dedication to the IU swimming and diving program. The award, named after Marge Counsilman, the wife of legendary coach James `Doc' Counsilman and a long-time supporter of the swimming and diving programs, has been given out each year since 2005.
Lewis first got involved in swimming through his daughters, both of whom were age-group swimmers and attended James `Doc' Counsilman's camps. An athlete himself, Lewis' noon time workouts in the Assembly Hall weight room happened to coincide with the swim team's workouts.
"I got to know the swimmers not only as athletes, but also as students," Lewis said. "I started coming to meets and became a big fan of the program. It has been fun to watch the improvement of the squad over the last several years and I have enjoyed getting to know both the student-athletes and coaches."
The final day of the Hoosierland Invitational will get underway at 9 a.m. Saturday, with the championship heats scheduled for 5 p.m. Live results will be available at http://iu.iuhoosiers.com/swimmeet/hoosierland07
Players Mentioned
