North Dakota vs. South Dakota

VERMILLION, South Dakota, October 15. WITH a score of 172-128, the University of North Dakota opened the 2011-12 swimming and diving season with a dual meet victory over South Dakota. The Fighting Sioux picked up nine individual titles and one relay win.

"This was a great start for our squad," head coach Steve Parsons said." I was pleased with our swims today and we dominated throughout the meet.

"We'll have the usual things to work on like turns, starts, and stroke mechanics when we get back, but we're already faster in many of the swims than we were last year in that same pool."

UND's 'A' 200 medley relay team of junior Veronica Medon (Huntsville, Ontario), sophomore Camille Merwin (Aliso Viejo, Calif.), senior Caitlin Conci (Craig, Colo.), and junior Kara Fisher (Fergus Falls, Minn.) won the event with a time of 2:04.07. The 'B' team of sophomore Sami Puk (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), sophomore Madison Porter (Dickinson, N.D.), sophomore Alyssa Bailey (Spearfish, S.D.), and freshman Rachael Wessman (Fargo, N.D.) placed fourth (2:10.21).

Medon also grabbed a trio of individual top finishes with wins in the 100 back (1:05.92), the 200 back (2:19.65), and the 200 IM (2:26.31). Merwin won the 200 breast (2:51.45) and placed second in the 100 breast (1:17.98), Porter touched first in the 200 fly (2:27.67), and Conci won the 100 fly with a time of 1:06.36.

Sophomore Morgan Lynch (Elk River, Minn.) won the 800 free with a time of 9:26.74. She also placed second in the 400 free (4:35.78). Classmate Kelsey Richels (Wahpeton, N.D.) finished second in the 200 free (2:11.56), the 50 free (28.25), and the 100 free (1:00.51).

The 'A' 200 free relay team of Richels, Conci, Porter, and freshman Erin Grabanski (Grand Forks, N.D.) took second with a time of 4:06.98). The 'B' team of Lynch, Bailey, sophomore Allison Maxwell (Rogers, Minn.), and Puk placed fourth (4:14.37).

On the boards, senior Megan Keidel (Bismarck, N.D.) won the 3-meter with a score of 243.00. Sophomore Rachael Waldbillig took second with a score of 218.75, and freshman Cassidy Tangeman, sophomore Alexis Thomsen and freshman Jennifer Anklan followed in suite with scores of 208.10, 197.25 and 183.55, respectively.

The Sioux finished 1-2-3-4 on the 1-meter with Waldbilling winning the event with a score of 242.55. Keidel registered a 230.05, Thomsen scored a 217.85, and Anklan finished with a mark of 206.75.

"Our divers had a really great meet," Parsons said. "Rachael and Megan did an excellent job of leading the way. We are going to expect big things from our upper classmen as the season progresses."

The Sioux are back in action on Oct. 22 when they take on Northern Iowa and Kansas in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Events are set to begin at 11 a.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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