University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Back in Action Against North Carolina
10/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
GOPHERS BACK IN ACTION AGAINST NORTH CAROLINA
The University of Minnesota women's swimming and diving program returns to action after a two-week hiatus when it travels to Chapel Hill, N.C. to compete against the North Carolina Tar Heels. Friday's action is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start, while Saturday's events start at noon. Live results came be found on on the UNC website at http://tarheelblue.cstv.com.
GOPHERS AGAINST THE TAR HEELS
Minnesota and North Carolina faced each other last year at the University Aquatic Center as the Golden Gophers defeated the Tar Heels, 208.5-160.5. On the first day, Minnesota captured all but one event in the first evening and finished with another four-event wins to clinch the dual meet. Minnesota was ranked ninth at the time, while UNC held a No. 11 ranking.In the 2006 competition, Minnesota fell to UNC, 212-158.
MEET RECORDS
In the action against the Tar Heels, Minnesota holds nine meet records. Of the nine, seven were set at last year's competition. Yuen Kobayashi broke the meet record in the 1,000 free (9:46.99) last year, while former Gopher Roxane Akradi won the 100 back (55.78). Jillian Tyler won both the 100 and 200 breaststroke events in winning times of 1:01.96 and 2:14.95. Minnesota also won the 800 free (7:23.08), the 200 medley relay (1:42.41) and the 400 medley relay (3:43.72).
ABOUT UNC
North Carolina opened the season against Georgia where they fell to the No. 1 Bulldogs, 169-126. UNC bounced back with a 176-124 win over South Carolina on Oct. 17 for its first win of the season. They Tar Heels then finished second at the Lady Mustang Dallas Classic. Freshman Layne Brodie was later named the ACC Performer of the Week when she finished second in the 100 breast, the 200 IM and the 200 breast. UNC is currently ranked 11th in the CSCAA polls. Four UNC swimmers qualified for last year's NCAA Championships as it finished 32nd overall with 17 points.
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS
The CSCAA announced its academic All-Americans on Oct. 21 from last year's teams. As a whole, the University of Minnesota held a combined grade point average of 3.315, which ranked 33rd overall in all of Division I programs. Academic All-Americans for the Golden Gophers were Jenny Shaughnessy (4.0), Kait Strickland (4.0), Meredith McCarthy (3.856), Erin Holtmeyer (3.795), Molly Belk (3.654), Stacy Busack (3.619), Megan Braun (3.560), Yuen Kobayashi (3.548) and Christine Jennings (3.50). Earning Academic All-American honorable mention accolades went to Kaylee Jamison (3.909).
SHAUGHNESSY EARNS SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD
Minnesota swimmer Jenny Shaughnessy along with baseball's Matt Nohelty were honored as the 2008 recipients of the Patty Berg Legacy Scholar-Athlete Award and the Henry Williams Legacy Scholar-Athlete Award, respectively, at the Golden Gopher Fund Annual Banquet. The banquet was held at the McNamara Alumni Center on Oct. 12.The scholar-athlete awards serve to carry on the legacy and names of Patty Berg and Henry Williams and honor student-athletes who exemplify the core values of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics. An honoree must be on a full or partial scholarship, preferably a senior on track to graduate, who has demonstrated academic and athletic success and exemplifies the core values of pride, personal integrity, respect for human dignity and loyalty. Shaughnessy was the recipient of the Patty Berg Legacy Scholar-Athlete Award, while Nohelty received the Henry Williams Legacy Scholar-Athlete Award.
ON THE STARTING BLOCKS
Both the men's and women's swimming and diving programs will host their first dual of the season when Iowa comes to town, Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. Friday's meet is also "Pack the Pool" event, where fans can get autographs from the student-athletes as well as promotional giveaways. Following the dual against Iowa, Minnesota hosts the Grand Prix and Minnesota Diving Invite, Nov. 14-16 at the University Aquatic Center. Sessions for the meet are at noon and 6 p.m.
Players Mentioned
