Jan. 20, 2009
THIS WEEK – The Iowa men and women’s swimming and diving team returns home to continue Big Ten competition as they host the Northwestern Wildcats Saturday. Competition is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the Field House Pool.
ON THE COMPETITION – The Northwestern men and women’s swimming and diving teams travel to Iowa City fresh from wins over Notre Dame and 22nd-ranked Michigan last weekend. The Wildcat men defeated Notre Dame 175 – 125, improving their record to 5-3 while the 20th-ranked women took down No. 22 Michigan 173 – 122. The Northwestern women are now 9-2 overall this season and 2-2 in Big Ten competition.
In men’s action, Northwestern swept the top two places in seven different events and won both relay events. Eric Nilsson won the 200 free (1:40.48), 200 fly (1:49.86), and 500 free (4:29.90) while Adam Beckman took first in both the 100 back (50.70) and the 200 back (1:49.62).
The Wildcat women won all but four swimming events and swept the top-three spots in three different races. Junior Jenn Kocsis took the top spot in the 1,000 free, touching the wall in 10:10.40 and also came in first in the 500 free (4:58.05). Emily Wong also took first in two races, winning the 50 free (23.39) and the 100 free (51.28).
LAST COMPETITION – The Iowa men and women prepare to face Northwestern after two solid wins against Western Illinois and Illinois last weekend. On Friday,The Hawkeye men defeated Western Illinois 156 – 74 while the women outscored the Westerwinds 157 – 74. The Iowa women then defeated Illinois 157 – 143 Saturday to finish the weekend 2-0.
The Hawkeyes broke several Brophy Pool records in their victory at Western Illinois. The Iowa women’s 200 medley relay team of Daniela Cubelic, Julie Feingold, Kathryn Michelau and Julie deBruin took first in the event in 1:49.59, which broke the previous record of 1:50.01. The Hawkeye men also broke a relay record. Sean Hagan, Matt Ryan, Max Dittmer and Ryan Phelan took first in the 200 medley relay in 1:35.49 and broke the pool record of 1:36.14.
The Hawkeye women kept up the momentum against Illinois. Junior Christine Kuczek won three individual events and anchored Iowa’s first place 400 free relay team. Deidre Freeman took first in both diving events and Katarina Tour also won two individual events for Iowa.
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.
Long is assisted by Kirk Hampleman, Frannie Malone and Nathan Mundt.
DIVING COACH Bob Rydze — Bob Rydze is in his 34th year as diving coach of the Hawkeye men and women’s teams. 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.
CAMPUS RECREATION AND WELLNESS CENTER — Ground was broken for the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in October, 2007. The facility will serve as the new home for Iowa Swimming and Diving upon completion in the fall of 2009. The facility will be at the corner of Burlington and Madison streets and is expected to cost $69 million.
IOWA SWIMMING HISTORY & TRADITION — Iowa was one of the first schools in the nation to compete on a collegiate level and competed at the first NCAA Championship. From 1937 to 1960, Iowa placed in the NCAA top ten 18 times, crowning nine NCAA and 22 Big Ten Champions.
NEXT COMPETITION – The Hawkeyes host the Missouri Tigers Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Field House Pool. The competition is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and admission is free to the public.