Big Ten Conference Championships, Day Four

IOWA CITY, Iowa, February 18. THE Hoosiers fought back with several outstanding swims on Saturday but it was not enough to catch up in the points tally, finishing second at the 2012 Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City, Iowa.

Minnesota won the crown with 680.4 points, followed by the Hoosiers with 651. Ohio State was third (560) with Wisconsin fourth (411) and Penn State fifth (379.5).

"First off, congratulations to Minnesota," said head coach Ray Looze. "They are a great champion. We threw our hearts on the line and I am really proud of our team. We are moving on to NCAA's now, with what I think is a really good team."

Lindsay Vrooman took home her first Big Ten title with a time of 16:00.44 in the 1,650 freestyle. That set a new pool record and is the third-fastest time in IU history. Lauren Jordan raced her way to a career-best 16:07.62, finishing third overall. Nikki White was 18th with a time of 16:33.83. Laura Head cut nearly 10 seconds off her personal best in her final collegiate swim as a Hoosier, winning her heat in 16:51.48 and finishing 28th.

"Winning that mile was a huge upset," Looze said. "(Ashley) Steenvoorden is one of the best milers in the country, so to beat her in this competition is a real step forward for Lindsay."

Justine Ress took third in the 100 back with a time of 1:54.41, followed by a tie between Taylor Wohrley and Allie Day in fourth at 1:55.22. Cynthia Pammett was seventh (1:57.04) and Kim Tracey eighth (1:57.20). Dorina Szekeres was 11th overall after posting a time of 1:57.76 in the consolation final, and Lauren Jordan was 12th with a 1:57.91. Jordan went a career best 1:56.42 in the morning prelims to make it back, while Pammett (1:56.00) and Tracey (1:56.05) also has career bests in the morning.

Margaux Farrell represented the Hoosiers in the 100 freestyle final, finishing seventh in 49.54. Brittany Strumbel finished second in the consolation final and 10th overall with a time of 49.46. In prelims, Courey Schaefer went a career best 50.31, good for 20th, while Stephanie Armstrong was 36th (50.59). Guinevere Vanden Noort went a career best of 51.10 in prelims to finish 45th, while Kristen Mitsch's time of 53.38 was also a career best, good for 82nd.

Ashley Specht finished 12th with a season-best time of 2:13.73, an NCAA provisional time. Katelyn Ishee posted an NCAA B cut and finished second in the bonus final (18th overall) with a time of 2:14.42. Afton Robertson was 24th with her time of 2:17.27 in the bonus final. Brittney Phelan took 30th (2:18.20).

Allysa Vavra claimed her third school record of the meet, finishing third in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:08.79. That betters her previous school record of 2:09.25, set at last year's Big Ten meet. Bronwyn Pasloski added a seventh-place finish with a time of 2:12.36. Her time of 2:12.04 in prelims was a new career best.

Brenna MacLean tied for second in the 200 butterfly final with a career-best time of 1:56.77, besting her previous mark of 1:56.94 set in prelims. Coming off her win in the 1,650 freestyle, Vrooman took sixth with a time of 1:59.08. She went 1:58.00 in prelims for a career best.

On the platform, Gabby Agostino ended her Big Ten career with a sixth-place finish, tallying 282.00 points. Kate Hillman was 21st (216.05), followed by Christina Kouklakis (23rd – 208.20), Kathryn Connolly (26th – 178.20) and Cassidy Kahn (27th – 176.60).

The night ended with a sixth-place finish for the Hoosiers in the 400 freestyle relay as Strumbel, Farrell, Vavra placed sixth in 3:19.50.

Indiana finished with Big Ten titles in the 800 free relay, 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley and 1,650 freestyle. For their performances, Farrell, Strumbel, Vavra, Vrooman and White earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. Ress and MacLean were second-team honorees. Vavra was named Swimmer of the Championships, the fourth Hoosier to take that honor and the first since Kate Fesenko in 2010.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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