University of Minnesota Athletics
Women Swimmers and Divers Complete Day One of Quad Duals
1/31/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
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The University of Minnesota women's swimming and diving team completed day one of quad duals with a lead over both Illinois and Purdue in the Aquatic Center. Minnesota holds a commanding 122-63 lead over Illinois and pulled out to a 94-92 lead over No. 17 Purdue. The Golden Gophers fell behind No. 8 Wisconsin 105-80 in the first day of competition.
A highlight for the Maroon and Gold was senior Keri Hehn's first place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke. Illinois' Ilkay Dikmen was considered one of the best breaststrokers having the 200-yard meet record against Minnesota. But, Hehn pulled off a time of 1:03.03 to edge past Dikmen, who came in at 1:03.26.
"One of the biggest build-ups of the day was the 100-yard breaststroke," head coach Jean Freeman said. "For Keri to beat Illinois' top breaststroker is a real accomplishment."
In the 200-yard butterfly, junior Juleen Rodakowski (2:03.72) took the first place spot ahead of Purdue's Autumn Sample (2:05.10). In the 200-yard freestyle, senior Dana Baum finished first with a time of 1:50.77, while freshman Kate Hardt finished fourth (1:51.96).
The Gophers won the 3-meter diving event finishing four in the top. Junior Rebecca Cornthwaite took the top spot with a score of 453.70 above Purdue's Carrie Cambridge, who had a score of 434.60.
"I'm thrilled to be ahead of Purdue," Freeman said. "They are a very strong team and for us to be have a two-point lead is very exciting. I'm very excited about us winning diving. Our divers were very strong today. The 800-Freestyle Relay was fantastic and I could not be more pleased with our finish. I couldn't be more pleased with the way Minnesota responded today."
Minnesota's 800-Freestyle Relay team (6:39.87) finished just tenths of a second behind Wisconsin (6:39.41) and earned a National qualifying time.
Quad Duals Team Scores - Day One
Minnesota 94, Purdue 92
Minnesota 122, Illinois 63
Wisconsin 105, Minnesota 80
Wisconsin 105. Purdue 80
Wisconsin 127, Illinois 56
Purdue 126, Illinois 59
