Big Ten Conference Women’s Championships: Day One

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana, February 16. LED by a record-breaking performance in the 800 freestyle relay, the Indiana women's swimming and diving team is tied for first after day one of the 2011 Big Ten Women's Swimming and Diving Championships at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center in Bloomington.

The Hoosiers and Wisconsin enter day two with an identical 68-point tally. Minnesota is third (66), with Ohio State fourth (58) and Purdue fifth (56).

Indiana opened the meet with a fifth-place finish in the 200 medley relay as Taylor Wohrley, Bronwyn Pasloski, Brittany Barwegen and Sara Delay posted a time of 1:39.08. That is an NCAA B cut.

"We really had a great medley relay," said head coach Ray Looze. "All of the splits were lifetime bests and what is really exciting for the future is we had a sophomore and two freshmen on that relay."

Brittany Strumbel got the Hoosiers out to a fast start in the 800 free relay, setting a new Big Ten, Big Ten meet, pool and IU record with a lead-off time of 1:43.93 on her 200-yard leg. That is also an NCAA automatic qualifying time in the 200 free for the junior.

Nikki White hit the water second and turned in a body-length lead for Wohrley in the third spot. Ohio State began to creep up on the Hoosiers but Margaux Farrell still had an advantage as she dove in and pulled Indiana ahead for good, giving IU its second-consecutive Big Ten title in the event with a Big Ten meet, pool and school record time of 7:01.13. That mark automatically qualifies the quartet for the NCAA Championships next month in Austin, Texas.

"We are humble and thankful we were able to get to the wall first in that 800 free relay," Looze said.

The Big Ten also added an exhibition 3-meter springboard diving event to the Thursday lineup. The IU tandem of Gabby Agostino and Logan Kline finished third with 248.40 points.

Competition continues Thursday with the 500 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 free style, 1-meter diving and 200 freestyle relay. Prelims begin at 11 a.m. with the evening finals set for 6 p.m.

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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