Minnesota Swimmers Start Strong at Jean Freeman Invitational

Photo Courtesy: Jordan Johnson/Minnesota Athletics

MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota swimming and diving teams are set to honor legendary Golden Gopher swim coach Jean Freeman this weekend as the Jean Freeman Invitational kicked off last night at the soon-to-be Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center.

Minnesota Press Release

The 2014 Jean Freeman Invite began today in Minneapolis as the Gophers hosted 15 other teams. In addition to the Golden Gophers, teams competing included: Augsburg, Boise State, Carlton College, Concordia, Gustavus, Hamline, Macalester, Minnesota Morris, South Dakota State University, St. Ben’s, St. John’s, St. Mary’s, St. Olaf, St. Thomas, UW Eau Claire (divers only).

The invite commemorates the late and legendary Jean K. Freeman, who coached for the University of Minnesota for over 30 years.

Minnesota swimmers opted to compete in races different than their specialty for the Jean Freeman Invite, providing exciting match-ups for the weekend.

Night one kicked-off with the 200 free relay. The Minnesota women placed first, third and sixth in the event. The relay team of Becca Weiland, Blake Zeiger, Lauren Votava and Abigail Raatz placed first with a time of 1:32.10.

Paul Fair, Daryl Turner, Ian Gordon and Niklas Brinck combined for a 1:22.39 to take the win in the 200 free relay. Two other Minnesota relays also placed third and sixth in the event.

Senior Blake Zeiger led the Gophers in the 500 freestyle, finishing second with a time of 4:59.81. Freshman Isabel Wyer placed fourth with a time of 5:06.03. Gophers Ellen Bloom and Mckenna Lynch placed 12th and 13th with respective times of 5:12.75 and 5:16.30.

In the men’s 500 free, Logan Redondo finished first with a time of 4:34.78. He was followed by Golden Gophers Erick Huft (4:38.41) and Erick Sande (4:39.08) for second and third, allowing Minnesota to go 1-2-3 in the event. DJ Friesch finished with a time of 4:41.01 for fifth.

During the women’s 200 IM, Minnesota’s Jessica Plant took second with a time of 2:04.07. Danielle Nack(2:06.98) finished fourth. Katelyn Holmquist topped the “B” final with a (2:06.97) and Allison Schumacher placed 11th with a time of 2:09.14.

Freshman Conner McHugh led Minnesota in the men’s 200 IM. McHugh finished with a time of 1:54.64 for second place. Gophers Ryan Miksch and Nick Hatanaka followed taking third and fourth with times of 1:55.03 and 1:55.60 respectively. Spencer Mattox finished with a time of 1:59.16 for eighth.

Abigail Raatz finished second in the women’s 50 free, finishing with a time of 23.42. Senior Tori Simenec followed with third place at 23.60. Distance freestyle swimmer Kiera Janzen finished seventh with a time of 24.59. Chloe Portela rounded out Minnesota with a time of 24.93 for 13th place.

Sophomore Daryl Turner took home the gold in the men’s 50 freestyle. Turner finished with a time of 20.58 and was followed by Paul Fair who had a 20.77. Niklas Brinck placed sixth with a time of 21.46 and Ian Gordon had a 21.72 for eighth.

In the women’s 200 back, Tori Simenec led the Gophers with a time of 2:03.59 for fourth place. Junior Sam Harding finished seventh with a 2:06.35. Senior Kiera Janzen and sophomore Breanne Siwicki finished 13th and 14th with times of 2:09.73 and 2:10.14 respectively.

Brandon Hatanaka led the Gophers to a gold finish in the men’s 200 back, finishing with a time of 1:53.01. Garrett Larson placed fifth with a time of 1:57.04 and Jimmy Rafter (1:59.95) placed seventh. Freshman Jan Hansen (2:00.04) finished tenth.

Freshman Rae Bullinger finished sixth in the women’s 100 breast with a time of 1:05.80, followed by Brooke Zeiger for seventh with a 1:06.89. Senior Heidi Busack finished with a time of 1:06.67 for tenth place in the “B” final. Bridgette Grobe finished 14th in the event with a 1:08.72.

Jon Thielen finished second in the men’s 100 breaststroke, finishing with a time of 57.58. Andrew Hartbarger(59.13), DJ Friesch (59.22) and Chase Vennefron finished ninth tenth and eleventh in the event.

Junior Lauren Votava finished second in the 200 fly with a time of 2:02.01 and Jessica Plant placed fourth with a 2:05.30. Freshman Mckenna Lynch placed eleventh with a time of 2:12.01.

In the men’s 200 fly, Ben Bravence placed second with a time of 1:51.53; CJ Smith finished with a time of 1:54.74 and Logan Redondo with a 1:57.04 for fourth and fifth place.

Becca Weiland finished with a time of 1:51.73 for third place in the 200 free. Freshman Brooke Zeiger took the “B” final, placing ninth with a time of 1:50.00. Seniors Devin Ste. Marie (1:54.97) and Christie Clarke (1:57.15) finished eleventh and 13th respectively.

DIVING

Minnesota swept the competition on the men’s one-meter. Junior Manny Pollard led the way with a total of 407.65 points for first. Dylan Zoe (366.60), Erik Larsen (331.80) and Nick Rodriguez (289.80) followed for second, third and fourth.

Katy Etterman led the Gophers on the women’s three-meter, placing fourth with a total of 271.45 points.

On the women’s platform, the Gophers took first, second and third. Jessica Ramberg totaled 301.95 points to lead the way. Lexi Tenenbaum (291.85) and Katy Etterman (274.15) followed.

JEAN FREEMAN AQUATIC CENTER NAMING CELEBRATION
On Saturday, December 6, a Jean Freeman naming celebration will be held, hosted by the University of Minnesota College of Education & Human Development. The event is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Public interested in attending should enter the Aquatic Center at the North Entrance. Come celebrate the this legendary coach.

DAY TWO ACTION
The Jean Freeman Invite will continue tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 6th with prelims at 11:00 a.m. and finals at 6:00 p.m. Live stats can be found here. Events include: 200 medley relay, 400 IM, 100 free, 100 back, 200 breast, 100 fly, 1650 free, 400 free relay, diving events include women’s 1 meter, men’s 3 meter, men’s platform

JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Are you following the Gophers on the road or from home? Make sure to follow @GopherSwimDive on Twitter and use the hashtag #United. You can also check for updates on Facebook and Instagram.

Results: Jean Freeman Invitational, Day One

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