Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Big Ten Championships
Hoosiers Finish Third at Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championship
2/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Feb. 23, 2008
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Sophomore Kate Zubkova added her second backstroke title in as many nights and Brittney Feldman was named Diver of the Championship and Big Ten Diver of the Year as Indiana recorded a third-place finish at the Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion in Columbus Ohio.
Minnesota took home the championship with 660.5 points followed by Michigan (609) and the Hoosiers (513).
"We fought real hard the whole weekend and with how the meet started it was nice to see the ladies finish up third tonight," said head coach Ray Looze. "We really had to fight hard for it and we are just real proud of the women and all the fine performances we had this week is really a credit to the team, their character and the leadership of the seniors. Christie Fuchs and Brittany Epperson did a great job of providing senior leadership."
Competing in her first Big Ten meet, Zubkova continues to re-write the league record book, this time taking the 200-yard backstroke title in a meet and school record of 1:53.62, well under the NCAA automatic qualifying mark. Zubkova's time was two better than second-place finisher Daphne Skelos of Penn State and broke the 13-year-old Big Ten meet record of 1:54.65 set by Alecia Humphrey. Presley Bard finished 12th overall with a time of 1:59.56 in the consolation final. Amy Harriman represented IU in the bonus final where she finished third (19th overall) with a time of 2:00.74.
Zubkova finished tied for first in overall points scored with 57. Jade Summerlin finished fifth in platform diving in her final Big Ten meet, tallying 267.5 points. Amy Korthauer finished first in the consolation final with 262.40 points, followed by Christina Kouklakis (5th- 198.10), Brittney Feldman (6th- 194.50) and Heidi Mahnken (7th- 179.30).
"I am really happy for Jade," said assistant diving coach Todd Waikel. "It's a great way for her to end her Big Ten career. She is a fifth-year senior and it was only her second time making finals, so I was real proud of her. She did a great job.
"The Hoosiers looked great (this weekend). Brittney (Feldman) is a two-time Big Ten champion. Our women stepped up tonight on tower. From top to bottom our women did a good job."
Donna Smailis led the Hoosiers in the 100-yard freestyle with a fifth-place time of 49.98, almost two seconds faster than her previous career best. Brittany Epperson also swam in the championship final where she finished eighth (50.68). Kelsey Atchison placed 33rd with a time of 51.89.
In timed heats of the 1,650-yard freestyle, Amanda Smith was fith in the final heat with a time of 16:22.66, an NCAA automatic mark. Coming in sixth was Cassie Luhrsen in 16:30.36. Christie Fuchs finished 18th (16:52.91), while Ashley Kranz was 29th (17:36.35).
Sarah Stockwell finished fifth in the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:15.04, while Abby Cooper won the consolation final and finished ninth overall with a time of 2:15.84, a career best. Amilee Smith and Jessica Hill also swam in the consolation final with Smith 13th (2:17.24) and Hill 16th (2:20.49).
Christie Fuchs swam an NCAA auto time of 1:58.93 in the morning prelims of the 200-yard butterfly and went on to finish eighth in the championship final with a time of 2:00.39. Allison Kay took 15th overall with her mark of 2:03.16 in the consolation final. Jessica Hill was 38th (2:07.30), while Caitlin Heyman finished 40th (2:09.94).
The evening ended with the 400-yard freestyle relay as Indiana finished fifth with a time of 3:21.51.
School Records:
Kate Zubkova - 200 backstroke (1:53.62, Big Ten meet record)
2008 Big Ten Champions
1-meter diving: Brittney Feldman
3-meter diving: Brittney Feldman
100-yard backstroke: Kate Zubkova
200-yard backstroke: Kate Zubkova
200-yard medley relay: Zubkova, Sarah Stockwell, Donna Smailis, Presley Bard
2008 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Nominee: Abby Cooper
Diver of the Championship: Brittney Feldman
Big Ten Diver of the Year: Brittney Feldman
Players Mentioned
