Dec. 1, 2008
THIS WEEK — The Iowa men and women’s swimming and diving team will travel to Columbia, MO, on Friday to compete in the Tiger Invitational at the University of Missouri. The three-day event will take place at the Mizzou Aquatic Center, with competition kicking off a 10 a.m. on Friday.
ON THE COMPETITION —The Hawkeye men and women will face competition from Missouri State, Drury University, University of Arkansas, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, University of Kansas (divers only), Missouri S&T and the University of Missouri.
LAST COMPETITION —The Iowa men and women both fell in tough competition to the 10th and 12th-ranked Minnesota men and women. The Iowa men were defeated 195-92 by the Gophers, while the Iowa women fell 185.5-110.5.
The Hawkeye women swam with intensity and claimed first place in four events. Deidre Freeman, Daniela Cubelic and Christine Kuczek all claimed individual first place finishes for the Hawkeyes. Freeman was untouchable in both diving events, capturing first in the one meter (289.50) and the three meter (256.95). Cubelic took first in the 100 back, touching the wall in 56.72, while Kuczek dominated the 100 free in 51.45.
The Iowa men fought hard against the Gophers, swimming in several close races. Jake Moore finished second in the 100 free (47.81) and the Iowa relay team of Max Dittmer, Matt Ryan, James Dragon and Sean Hagan finished third in the 200 medley relay in 1:34.05. Mike Gilligan represented the divers with a solid performance in the one meter competition, taking second with 306.15.
NEXT WEEK —The Iowa women treturn home to take on rival Iowa State. Competition is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the Field House Pool. The Iowa men will have the week off.
HEAD COACH Marc Long — Marc Long is in his fifth season as head coach for the University of Iowa swimming program. It’s his fourth year as head coach of the combined programs. During his tenure as head coach of both programs, 10 school records have fallen and 39 Hawkeyes have provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships.
DIVING COACH Bob Rydze —Bob Rydze is in his 34th year as diving coach of the Hawkeye men and women’s teams at Iowa. Rydze returns to Iowa this season fresh from the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China where he served as Team Leader for USA Diving. During his tenure with the Hawkeyes, Rydze has coached 31 all-Americans, nine Big Ten and one NCAA Champion.