Jan. 17, 2009
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Iowa women’s swimming and diving team won their third consecutive dual meet this morning, defeating the University of Illinois 157-143 in an intense competition. The Hawkeyes came out on top winning both relay events, both diving events and had eight first-place finishes in individual events. The Hawkeye women are now 6-2 in dual meet competition this season and have a 2-2 record in the Big Ten.
Iowa opened the day’s competition with a blistering first-place finish in the 200 medley relay. Danielle Carty, Katarina Tour, Daniela Cubelic, and Julie deBruin teamed up to win the event in a time of 1:46.50. The Hawkeyes also took first in the 400 free relay with the team of Verity Hicks, Alison Gschwend, Cubelic and Christine Kuczek posting a time of 3:39.49.
Kuzcek led Iowa in the individual events, earning three first-place victories and dominating the freestyle races. The junior took the top spot in the 200 free race, touching the wall in 1:53.38. Kuczek’s two other wins were in the 100 free (52.18) and the 500 free (5:04.03). Deidre Freeman represented the Iowa divers, winning both boards. Freeman took first place in the one-meter event with a score of 266.40 and also won the three-meter event with a 308.70. Sophomore Veronica Rydze finished second in the three-meter event with 272.25.
Senior Ashley Dell also contributed to the win with a first place finish in the 1,000 free event, posting a time of 10:27.17. Tour had two individual event victories for Iowa as well. The sophomore finished first in both the 100 breast (1:05.72) and the 200 IM (2:05.76). Carty and BeBruin each also earned first place finishes. Carty took the top spot in the 100 back (57.16) while DeBruin finished first in the 50 free (24.59).
“It was a great big ten win on the road for the Hawkeyes,” said Iowa head coach Marc Long.
The Iowa swimming and diving team will continue Big Ten competition next Saturday, Jan. 24th. The Hawkeyes will host the Northwestern Wildcats at the Field House Pool. Competition is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and admission is free to the public.