University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Win Five Events On First Day of Quad Duals
1/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
The No. 10 Minnesota women's swimming and diving team won five events on the first day of the Big Ten Quad Duals at University Aquatic Center. Jenny Shaughnessy, Ashley Steenvoorden, Jillian Tyler and Stacy Busack won individual events as the Gophers opened leads over Purdue (124-60), Wisconsin (97-87) and Illinois (133-47).
The Gophers opened the meet with an exciting win in the 200 freestyle relay. Minnesota's team of Kaylee Jamison, Meredith McCarthy, Meagan Radecke and Stacy Busack posted a time of 1:32.01 to touch out Wisconsin's team by just .03 seconds. Busack's blazing anchor leg time of 22.50 gave the Gophers the win at the wall.
Shaughnessy cruised to a win in the 200 individual medley. The senior never trailed, taking out the backstroke leg in 25.93 and finished in a time of 2:01.51, easily ahead of Wisconsin's Candice Peak (2:02.06). Junior Andrea Hanson placed fifth in 2:07.05.
Minnesota completely dominated the 500 freestyle, taking the top four spots. Steenvoorden touched the wall in 4:48.86 to hold off senior Yuen Kobayashi (4:49.85). Kristen Steenvoorden followed in 4:50.48 and Christine Jennings rounded out the top four with a time of 4:50.52.
The Gophers made it four straight swimming event wins as Tyler clocked a 1:00.50 for the victory. Wisconsin's Ashley Manland was second in 1:01.72 and Jamison placed third in 1:04.29. Wisconsin went 1-2 in the 200 backstroke, led by Maggie Meyer in 1:57.04. Shaughnessy took third for the Gophers in 2:01.37.
Busack powered to a win in the 100 freestyle with a time of 50.32, surpassing Wisconsin's Beckie Thompson on the final lap. She finished in 50.44. McCarthy was third in 51.15 and Alison Eggers was fourth in 51.59.
Wisconsin's Jen Illescas took the 200 butterfly in 2:01.58 but Minnesota went 2-3-4, led by sophomore Megan Braun in 2:02.69. Sophomore Molly Belk was third in 2:03.03 and senior Danielle Ridder was fourth in 2:04.30.
Minnesota finished the evening with a second place finish in the 400 medley relay in 3:43.70. Wisconsin took first in 3:42.62. The Gophers' team consisted of Jenna Lennertz, Tyler, Jamison and Busack.
Sophomore Taylor Enerson was Minnesota's lone competitor in the diving events. She posted a score of 233.40 to place eighth on the 3-meter springboard and later turned in a tally of 232.90 on the 1-meter to place seventh in the 12-diver field.
The Quad Duals conclude tomorrow at noon.
Players Mentioned
