Big 5 Races At Women’s Big 10 Conference Championships

Big Ten Champs-minnesota
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

By Seren Jones, Swimming World College Intern

The Big 10 Conference Championship meet is upon us. Check the psych sheet here!

As one of the fastest female conferences in the country, the conference consists of ten talented teams: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, University of Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers and Wisconsin.

The University of Minnesota took the Big 10 crown last year, and the Gophers look to defend their conference title, despite the vicious competition that they will face. Minnesota is currently ranked 14th in the nation, while Indiana is 15th, Michigan is 17th, Purdue is 21st, Ohio State is 22nd, and Wisconsin is 24th.

5 races you CANNOT miss at this week’s Big 10 Conference Championships:

200 FREE RELAY

The fastest relay of them all will certainly be a race that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The University of Wisconsin is ranked  first with a time of 1:29.44, followed by Penn state in second, and Michigan in third. Wisconsin already the NCAA A-Cut time of 1:29.49 and thus expect to be advancing to the championships next month. Penn State have a seeded time of 1:29.80, and Michigan occupy a time of 1:29.84.

Wisconsin Generic Team

Photo Courtesy: Wisconsin Athletics

50 FREE

The splash and dash never fails to be one of the sport’s most exciting, nerve-racking, and unpredictable races. Without a single swimmer in the top 16 who is slower than 23 flat, the event will offer 22 seconds of suspense, as well as a lot of splash. Wisconsin’s Ivy Martin is the only individual who has broken the 22 second mark and is seeded in first in a time of 21.89, and the senior is sure to put up a fight for first place at her final conference meet. In second place is Penn State’s Alyson Ackman (22.40) and Carolyn Fittin (22.42).

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

200 FREE

This will be a race that has the potential to break records across the board, including the pool record, meet record, and the Big 10 Conference record. Indiana’s Kennedy Goss is seeded in first with a time of 1:44.87. The freshman is only 0.94 outside of the conference and meet records, and is 0.97 away from the NCAA A-Cut time. In second place is her teammate Hayley Lips in a time of 1:45.05, and in third sits Michigan representative Gillian Ryan in a time of 1:45.24.

 

100 BREAST

This event is certainly one to watch with Minnesota’s Kierra Smith going for gold. The Gopher is seeded first in a time of 59.40, being the only swimmer to thus far break the one minute barrier. The Canadian finished 19th at the 2014 NCAA Championships and looks to return to the meet only to beat last year’s standings. Fighting for the conference title is also Iowa’s Emma Sougstad (1:00.14) and Michigan’s Emily Kopas (1:00.45).

Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr

Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr

400 FREE RELAY

This relay race is certainly the closest of its kind at the meet, with four of the teams seeded with the same time yet only marginally separated. Seeded in first is Wisconsin (3:17.04), second is Michigan (3:17.13), third is Indiana (3:17.38), and in fourth is Penn State (3:17.96). Despite the B1G record being a phenomenal 3:15.06, set by the University of Minnesota in 2011, the teams are all capable of reaching the NCAA A-Cut time of 3:16.41. Once tapered, shaved and suited, the sky is the limit for these ladies.

Be sure to stay updated with the Big 10 Conference meet, which is being held at the Ohio State University McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion from Feb. 18-21. Fast swimming is guaranteed.

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Bill Bell
9 years ago

Watch out for Ohio State’s Zhise Li in the sprints. She’s only been 22.6/49-mid but long courses she’s gone 25 low/54 low and I think she can give Ivy Martin a battle for sprint supremacy. Hear Archie Griffin has been giving her tips and working with her in the weight room!

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