University of Minnesota Athletics
Thursday, December 2
Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center
10:00 AM (Prelims), 6:00 PM (Finals)
University of Minnesota
vs
Minnesota Invitational
Players Mentioned
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Sprint Freestyle
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle/Butterfly/IM
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Backstroke
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle/Backstroke/Butterfly
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Breaststroke
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Butterfly/IM
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Butterfly
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Backstroke
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle/Butterfly/IM
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Backstroke
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Backstroke
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Breaststroke
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
IM/Butterfly/Breaststroke
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Records Fall for Gophers on Day Two of Minnesota Invite
12/2/2021 10:43:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
MINNEAPOLIS – A school record and pool record highlighted day two of the Minnesota Invite for the Minnesota swimming and diving programs Thursday at Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center.
Gophers sophomore Megan Van Berkom broke an eight-year old mark in the 200 IM, while sixth-year senior Sarah Bacon took down the facility record on the 1-meter for the Golden Gophers, who ended the day with 14 'B' cuts and 22 personal bests between the two programs over the prelims and finals.
"We saw a lot of really good things," head swimming coach Kelly Kremer said. "Having a core group of women's sprinters, having that many people sub-23.00 and really low-22.00's for several, we haven't had that type of sprint group for a long time. And we would never have that many people in December at 22.40 or better. So we're really excited to see things like that because it bodes well for our relays later in the year.
"And watching a guy like Bar (Soloveychik), 4:15 is a good swim, really excited about that, and Megan Van Berkom breaking the school record in the 200 IM, these are all really good. We're unshaved right now and took some risks, but we wanted to see that we were on the right track for what we wanted to accomplish in February and March and we're getting some really good feedback from this meet, so I'm happy with what I'm seeing."
Van Berkom's time of 1:56.48 in the 200 IM was .23 ahead of the previous mark set by Tori Simenec at the 2013 Big Ten Championships. In addition, it was an NCAA 'B' cut and a personal best for the Chatham, Ill., native.
"I think a big part of it was having my team all on the sideline cheering me on; that helps a lot," Van Berkom said. "And just being confident in the training I've been doing this whole season with the team, knowing it was going to pay off."
Van Berkom said she made note of the school record after Thursday's prelims and was using it as motivation for the evening session. She felt like she had a good time when she touched the wall, but her teammates' reaction told her all she needed to know.
"When I heard everyone cheering I kind of knew before I even looked at the board," she said.
Meanwhile in the diving well, Bacon posted a score of 361.30 on the 1-meter, the best ever at the Freeman Aquatics Center, the second best of her career and the fourth best overall in program history.
The Golden Gophers went 1-2 in the event as senior Joy Zhu took second with a score of 308.20.
The Minnesota women also saw strong success in the 50 free as three swimmers posted 'B' cuts and personal bests. Senior Olivia Bloomer won the 'C' heat at 22.41, while junior Maggie Summit took first in the consolation heat at 22.42, and freshman Hannah Cornish touched fourth in the championship heat at 22.43.
Similarly, all three leadoff swimmers in the women's 400 medley relay earned 'B' cuts for the 100 back. Senior Emily Cook had the best time at 53.19), while junior Ella Miller (53.93) and sophomore Paula Rodriguez Rivero (53.74) also recorded personal bests in the event.
The men's team's performance was highlighted by 'B' cuts for Soloveychik and junior Desmon Sachtjen.
Soloveychik earned his way into the championship heat of the 500 free thanks to a personal best time of 4:15.84. It was his first 'B' cut of the season and he followed with another one after a 4:17.81 in the finals.
For Sachtjen, he accomplished what the women's trio did in the 400 medley relay. He led off for the Gophers' 'A' team and recorded a split of 47.63, good for a 'B' cut and personal best in the 100 back. Earlier in the day, he got another P.R. for his time of 1:49.77 in the 200 IM.
Also earning personal bests on the day were senior Kelli McCarthy (2:01.30 – 200 IM) and sophomores Elle Niebuhr (4:54.97 – 500 free) and Molly Urkiel (23.74 – 50 free) for the women, and sophomores William Christenson (4:29.51 – 500 free), Nathan Kim (1:50.72 – 200 IM) and freshmen Josh Johnston (1:53.38 – 200 IM), Tommy McCarthy (1:54.59 – 200 IM) and Chris Morris (1:49.40 – 200 IM) for the men.
Action continues tomorrow on day three of the Minnesota Invite with prelims starting at 10 a.m., diving at approximately 1 p.m. and finals scheduled to start at 6 p.m. On the schedule for Friday is the 100 fly, 400 IM, 200 free, 100 breast and 100 back. In addition, the women's 3-meter and men's 1-meter will take place, while Friday night will see the 200 free relay in action.
Gophers sophomore Megan Van Berkom broke an eight-year old mark in the 200 IM, while sixth-year senior Sarah Bacon took down the facility record on the 1-meter for the Golden Gophers, who ended the day with 14 'B' cuts and 22 personal bests between the two programs over the prelims and finals.
"We saw a lot of really good things," head swimming coach Kelly Kremer said. "Having a core group of women's sprinters, having that many people sub-23.00 and really low-22.00's for several, we haven't had that type of sprint group for a long time. And we would never have that many people in December at 22.40 or better. So we're really excited to see things like that because it bodes well for our relays later in the year.
"And watching a guy like Bar (Soloveychik), 4:15 is a good swim, really excited about that, and Megan Van Berkom breaking the school record in the 200 IM, these are all really good. We're unshaved right now and took some risks, but we wanted to see that we were on the right track for what we wanted to accomplish in February and March and we're getting some really good feedback from this meet, so I'm happy with what I'm seeing."
Van Berkom's time of 1:56.48 in the 200 IM was .23 ahead of the previous mark set by Tori Simenec at the 2013 Big Ten Championships. In addition, it was an NCAA 'B' cut and a personal best for the Chatham, Ill., native.
"I think a big part of it was having my team all on the sideline cheering me on; that helps a lot," Van Berkom said. "And just being confident in the training I've been doing this whole season with the team, knowing it was going to pay off."
Van Berkom said she made note of the school record after Thursday's prelims and was using it as motivation for the evening session. She felt like she had a good time when she touched the wall, but her teammates' reaction told her all she needed to know.
"When I heard everyone cheering I kind of knew before I even looked at the board," she said.
Meanwhile in the diving well, Bacon posted a score of 361.30 on the 1-meter, the best ever at the Freeman Aquatics Center, the second best of her career and the fourth best overall in program history.
The Golden Gophers went 1-2 in the event as senior Joy Zhu took second with a score of 308.20.
The Minnesota women also saw strong success in the 50 free as three swimmers posted 'B' cuts and personal bests. Senior Olivia Bloomer won the 'C' heat at 22.41, while junior Maggie Summit took first in the consolation heat at 22.42, and freshman Hannah Cornish touched fourth in the championship heat at 22.43.
Similarly, all three leadoff swimmers in the women's 400 medley relay earned 'B' cuts for the 100 back. Senior Emily Cook had the best time at 53.19), while junior Ella Miller (53.93) and sophomore Paula Rodriguez Rivero (53.74) also recorded personal bests in the event.
The men's team's performance was highlighted by 'B' cuts for Soloveychik and junior Desmon Sachtjen.
Soloveychik earned his way into the championship heat of the 500 free thanks to a personal best time of 4:15.84. It was his first 'B' cut of the season and he followed with another one after a 4:17.81 in the finals.
For Sachtjen, he accomplished what the women's trio did in the 400 medley relay. He led off for the Gophers' 'A' team and recorded a split of 47.63, good for a 'B' cut and personal best in the 100 back. Earlier in the day, he got another P.R. for his time of 1:49.77 in the 200 IM.
Also earning personal bests on the day were senior Kelli McCarthy (2:01.30 – 200 IM) and sophomores Elle Niebuhr (4:54.97 – 500 free) and Molly Urkiel (23.74 – 50 free) for the women, and sophomores William Christenson (4:29.51 – 500 free), Nathan Kim (1:50.72 – 200 IM) and freshmen Josh Johnston (1:53.38 – 200 IM), Tommy McCarthy (1:54.59 – 200 IM) and Chris Morris (1:49.40 – 200 IM) for the men.
Action continues tomorrow on day three of the Minnesota Invite with prelims starting at 10 a.m., diving at approximately 1 p.m. and finals scheduled to start at 6 p.m. On the schedule for Friday is the 100 fly, 400 IM, 200 free, 100 breast and 100 back. In addition, the women's 3-meter and men's 1-meter will take place, while Friday night will see the 200 free relay in action.
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