Nov. 17, 2009
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch (2009-10 season)
THIS WEEK — The University of Iowa women’s swimming and diving team will host the Hawkeye Invite this weekend. The Hawkeyes will face Northern Iowa, Truman State, and Western Illinois. The invite starts Friday at 11am and continues through Sunday.
LAST WEEK — The Hawkeyes hosted the Minnesota Gophers Nov. 6 at the Field House Pool. Iowa had some exciting races but lost to Minnesota 176.118.
Senior Christine Kuczek was nominated for Big Ten Athlete of the week. She recorded two new season best times in the 200 free (1:53.08) and the 50 free (24.09). Kuczek took first place in both the 50 free and 100 free (52.23) and earned fourth place in the 200 free. Kuczek concluded the meet by teaming up with sophomore Daniela Cubelic, sophomore Danielle Carty, and Senior Verity Hicks to win the 400 free relay. The women posted a time of 3:28.19.
Carty and Cubelic went one and two in the 100 back. Carty earned the top spot with a time if 56.41 and Cubelic came in right behind at 56.90. Carty’s time was a new season best. Hicks swam a season best time in the 500 free (5:03.10) and earned a second place finish. Iowa did not win the 100 fly but the Hawkeye flyers still took second, third and fourth place. Senior Laura Mozdzen took second place with a time of 58.06, while senior Julie Feingold took third (58.20) and senior Katie Michelau took fourth (59.86).
HEAD COACH Marc Long — Marc Long is in his sixth season as head coach for the University of Iowa swimming team. It’s his fifth as head coach of the combined program. 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 35th year as diving coach of the men’s and women’s teams at the University of Iowa. Rydze served as Team Leader for USA Diving at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, where he served as the Team Leader for USA Diving. During his tenure with the Hawkeyes, Rydze has coached 31 all-Americans, nine Big Ten and one NCAA Champion.
Iowa’s women divers had a strong day. Freshman Mary Sue LeMay took third place in the women’s one-meter diving event with a score of 218.25, which is her best score this season. Senior Brittany Logan came in right behind Lemay with a fourth place finish (167.32). The Hawkeyes stayed consistent in three-meter diving event, placing third and fourth. Lemay earned a score of 188.93, while Logan earned a score of 188.32.
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 spring of 2010. The facility will be at the corner of Burlington and Madison streets and is expected to cost $69 million.
FIELD HOUSE POOL — Iowa’s Field House Pool was built in 1927 and was, at the time, the world’s largest indoor swimming pool. In 1979, the pool underwent a $400,000 renovation. Diving platforms were added in 1980. The pool is 150 feet long and 60 feet wide, with eight lanes. Diving facilities include a pair of one and three meter springboards, plus five and ten meter platforms.
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.