Nov. 8, 2004
THIS WEEK — The University of Iowa women’s swimming team will host the Truman State Bulldogs Friday at the Fieldhouse Pool in Iowa City. The Hawkeye men will also host Truman State and South Dakota. Competition is slated to begin at 5 p.m.
SCOUTING TRUMAN STATE — The four-time NCAA Division II champions opened the season with a dual victory over Washington (Mo.), setting seven pool records and qualifying seven events for nationals. The following weekend, the Bulldogs set two more pool records and ran away with the team title at the Bulldog Invitational, winning 16 of 18 events. The Bulldogs have qualified numerous events for nationals including senior Diana Betsworth in the 200 and 500 free, senior Sarah Dance in the 200 free and 200 free relay, and senior Michaela Osborn in the 100 and 200 breast.
IOWA FALLS TO MINNESOTA — The Hawkeyes lost at Minnesota last week 171-129. Junior Kelly Werner led the way for the Hawkeyes, taking first in the 100 and 200 back as well as the 100 fly. Senior Jennifer Skolaski placed first in the 1000 free, while the 400 free relay team comprised of Skolaski, Katie Martin, Abby VanMaaren and Karen Kelly also took first. Divers Lisette Planken and Nancilea Underwood swept the competition in both the one and three meter diving events. Underwood took first in the one meter and second in the three meter, while Planken finished first in the three meter and second in the one meter.
HAWKEYES SET FIVE MEET RECORDS — Iowa set five Iowa vs. Minnesota meet records in the loss to Minnesota. Kelly Werner set meet records in both the 100 (56.87) and 200 back (2:01.63), while the 400 free relay team comprised of Katie Martin, Abby VanMaaren, Karen Kelly and Jennifer Skolaski also set a meet record with a time of 3:27.37. Underwood set a meet record with her first-place finish in the one meter diving event (304.35) and Planken set a meet record in the three meter diving event (330.00).
WERNER MEETS B STANDARD — Junior Kelly Werner provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships, meeting the “B Standard” time of 2:01.78 in the 200 backstroke. Her time of 2:01.63 clocked just under the mark.
WOMEN’S HEAD COACH Marc Long — Former Hawkeye Assistant Coach Marc Long enters his first season as interim head coach after serving two seasons as assistant. Prior to joining the women’s swimming program, Long served as Iowa’s assistant men’s swimming coach (1998-2001). As a Hawkeye swimmer, Long was a six-time all-American, a two-time Big Ten Champion and a two-time first team all-Big Ten selection. He is assisted by former Hawkeye swimmer Frannie DeBord.