Jan. 20, 2004
Truman Women's Swimming Defeats Northern Iowa and South Dakota Over Weekend; Prepare to Host final Dual Meet of 2003-04 on Friday vs. Western Illinois
The Truman women's swim team competed as a split squad this past weekend with half of its members swimming at the University of South Dakota and the other half swimming at the University of Northern Iowa. The split did not seem to cause a ripple in the Bulldogs' success at the University of Northern Iowa. The women sailed to a victory on Friday night by a score of 164-126.
The 'Dogs had a pair of outstanding performances by junior Diana Betsworth (East Moline, Ill./United Township) in the 100- and 200-yard freestyles. Betsworth had been on medical leave for the better half of this season but has been able to bounce back quite well. She recorded an automatic qualifying time of 153.38 in the 200 free and a B-cut in the 100 free with a time of 53.47.
Other noteworthy performances came from junior Michaela Osborn (Tipton, Iowa) in the 100 breaststroke, recording a season best of 1:04.41. Senior Alison Blyth (Clive, Iowa/Dowling) recorded a time of 2:08.15 in the 200 butterfly capturing first place for the dogs. Blyth also captured first in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:01.20.
The Bulldogs recorded 14 first-place finishes out of 16 events. The women captured first in both the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay. The team of senior Krista Pray (Naperville, Ill./North) , Osborn, Blyth, and sophomore Whitney Jensen (Grinnell, Iowa) recorded a time of 1:49.37.
Other top finishes turned in by the women included a first place finish in the 50 freestyle by sophomore Whitney Jensen (Grinnell, Iowa) with a time of 24.41. Truman also claimed second and third in the 50 freestyle with great performances by junior Cassie Roudebush (Canton, Ill.) (26.35) and freshman Shannan Schoening (Bettendorf, Iowa) (26.43).
Senior Katie May (Westmont, Ill./Hinsdale Central) recorded a season best time in the 200 backstroke (2:07.89) narrowly missing the automatic qualifying time of 2:07.69.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs traveled to the University of South Dakota to take on the Coyotes. The women competed in two separate dual meets on Saturday, winning both 162-105 and 123-94.
Overall the women had a good showing in preparation for the Central States Championships to be held in Springfield, Mo., in three weeks. Participating in meter swimming is not something the Bulldogs regularly do but the team seemed to adjust well.
Noteworthy performances came from sophomore Aimee Gregor (Southlake, Texas/Keller) in the 1500-meter freestyle, capturing a B-cut in the event with a time of 18:12.57. Teammate freshman Lindsay McReynolds (Bloomingon, Ill./University) broke the pool record in the same event with a time of 17:45.35.
Other records that fell included the 100-meter butterfly swam by sophomore Meredith Rocha (Whitehouse, Texas/Grace Community) in a time of 1:05.56, and the 400-meter medley relay team of freshman Lija Kaleps-Clark (Westerville, Ohio/North), freshman Brittany Anderson (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman), Rocha and junior Sue Ellen Thoma (Jefferson City, Mo.)
The Truman women's team has now qualified 17 athletes for nationals. They look to complete their squad with the maximum of 18 competitors before the regular season ends.
The women will host their final dual meet of the 2003-04 campaign on Friday when Western Illinois comes to town for a 6 p.m. meet.