University of Minnesota Athletics
Kobayashi and Akradi Add Wins at the Speedo Champion Series
7/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Yuen Kobayashi won her second event in two days, while Roxane Akradi earned her first event win to lead the University of Minnesota women's swim team at the 2007 USA Swimming Speedo Champions Series, tonight at the University Aquatic Center. Kobayashi clocked an Olympic Trials qualifying time in the 200-meter freestyle event and placed first in 2:03.22. Akradi added an Olympic Trials qualifying time of 1:04.03 to win the 100 back.
Eight other Gophers competed in tonight's three finals. Incoming freshman Courtney Veerman added an 11th-place finish in the 200 free with a time of 2:07.17. Erin Holtmeyer and Megan Braun each competed in the 200 free C Final. Holtmeyer placed 20th overall in a time of 2:08.69, while Braun placed 21st in 2:09.12. Stephanie Hilstrom held the Gophers' highest finish in the 400 individual medley wiht a time of 5:11.12 and 13th overall. Molly Belk competed in the same event and finished 18th in 5:10.46 in the C Final.
Following Akradi's win in the 100 back, two additional Gophers made advanced to the championship final. Deidre DeWall clocked a Junior National qualifying time of 1:05.90 for fifth overall, while former Gopher Katie Wind touched the wall in 1:06.19 for a sixth-place showing. Erin Forster earned 12th-place overall with a time of 1:06.55 to finish fourth in the B Final.
Minnesota's two 400 free relays held a second and third-place finish tonight. Stacy Busack, Holtmeyer, Akradi and Christine Jennings teamed up for a National qualifying time of 3:52.04 and second place overall. Minnesota's B relay of Kobayashi, Meredith McCarthy, Jenny Shaughnessy and Andrea Hanson also earned a National qualifying time of 3:55.21 to finish third overall.
Action continues tomorrow and Saturday on the U of M campus. Events contested tomorrow are the 200 back, the 400 free, the 100 breaststroke, the 100 fly and the 800 free relay.
Players Mentioned
