University of Minnesota Athletics
WSD: Gophers Compete in Speedo Champions Series
3/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Minnesota's first action of the finals came in the 100 backstroke. Erin O'Neil finished third in the B Final and 11th overall with a time of 58.86. Katie Wind competed in the 200 freestyle, finishing sixth in the A Final. Wind, who usually competes in the backstroke events, touched the wall with a junior national qualifying time of 1:54.06. Lindsey St. Martin placed 10th overall with a time of 1:52.95.
O'Neil and Lindsey St. Martin also competed in the 100 butterfly event. O'Neil finished in a time of 56.72, earning a sixth-place finish. St. Martin followed her teammate, finishing seventh overall with a time of 57.14. Krista Kezbers added a 13th-place showing with a time of 58.20, while Jennifer Chang placed 17th overall with a time of 57.67. Jennifer Hasling and Marshall added preliminary times of 57.95 and 59.11, respectively.
Kate Hardt concluded the Gophers' competition with the team's best finish of the night. Hardt placed second overall in the 200 individual medley with an open qualifying time of 2:04.78. Former Wisconsin Badger swimmer Bethany Pendleton set a meet record and recorded a national qualifying time of 2:01.85 to win the event. Erika Bjorklund clocked a preliminary time of 2:12.21, followed by Mary Patrek with a time of 2:12.71.
The Gophers continue action, tomorrow. Preliminaries are set in the morning session, while the finals will be at 6 p.m.
