NCAA Div. I Women: Indiana Takes Big 10 Title, Wisconsin a Close Second

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., February 22. IT only took 20 years but the wait was well worth it, as Indiana finally won its first official women's Big Ten Swimming & Diving Championship here tonight.

The meet concluded at Purdue's Doris Z. Holloway Pool, with Coach Dorsey Tierney's Hoosiers — up by 17 going into the final night's action –claiming their innaugural title with a 595-563 point victory over runners-up Wisconsin. Third was defending champ Penn State (509) followed by Michigan (460), Purdue (403) and Minnesota (400).

The Hoosiers thus join Michigan as the only schools to have won both women's and men's Big Ten swim championships. Indiana actually won the Big Ten title 22 years ago, but the conference didn't officially recognize women's championships until the start of the '82-'83 season — when the NCAA took over governence of women's athletics from the now defunct Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW).

This past summer, Swimming World Magazine recognized the Indiana women's swimming and diving program as the nation's best combination of swimming and diving success coupled with achievement in the classroom. While pleased with the honor, IU coach Tierney knew that several of her career goals — including a Big Ten title and, ultimately, a national championship — had yet to be met.

That is, until tonight. Relying on the strength of solid depth, along with the results of the 200 yard butterfly, which included a second-place finish by freshman Lauren Lubus, and the perpetual dominance of the IU divers, Indiana outdistanced the Badgers and the Hoosiers are indeed No. 1.

"I'd say I'm most proud of this group's fortitude," said Tierney, the 2001 and 2002 Big Ten Coach of the Year, who is aided by assistant coach Ron Turner.

"This did not come easy and I'm sure that no championship does. Especially with the group that were here last year, and coming back this year, I have a group of eight seniors and that is so unusual to have girls go three or four years like that. The character they possess, especially as a group, is phenomenal."

* * * * *

That character was certainly tested. Indiana faced a 44-point deficit with only three events remaining, but the strength of Indiana's effort in the 200 yard butterfly and platform diving sealed the championship. Indiana took second, fifth and sixth in the fly and went one-three-five on the 3-meter platform while Wisconsin was drawing a blank in both.

"It was a great finale to the end of my first Big Ten season," said Hoosier freshman Lauren Lubus, 200 fly runner-up to Penn State's Amberlin Biedermann (1:58.08-1:58.11). "I knew that if I could stay next to that girl from [Penn State] and try to keep up with her that maybe I could go a 1:58 and make it to NCAAs. It was very exciting."

As it was, both women made the NCAA auto "A" cut of 1:58.98. Bierdermann's win was her second of the Championships and her second Big 10 record too. She won the 100 fly (Big 10-standard 53.54) Friday evening and was the Nittany Lions' only gold medalist. Her time tonight broke the old conference mark of 1:58.60 by Northwestern's Lori Holmes from the '89 Championships.

Following the 200 butterfly, Indiana extended its advantage to an insurmountable lead when senior Sara Hildebrand, junior Cassandra Cardinell, and senior Lori Matthys, finished first, third, and fifth on platform.

For Hildebrand, who was named the Diver of the championships as well as the Big Ten Diver of the Year, it capped an elusive triple as she won Big Ten titles on 1-meter, 3-meter and platform at this year's meet for the first time in her career. A 2000 Olympian on platform, she won that same event this evening with a score of 506.10, while Ohio State's Natalie Diea finished second (504.70).

"After the first day (1-meter win), I kind of had to pull myself back down," said Hildebrand. "After yesterday (3-meter win) I said, I've got one more day and by no means is this mine yet, and it went right to the end. I almost didn't have it. Every minute counts and every dive counts."

* * * * *

Wisconsin won a record nine swimming titles yet had to settle for runner-up status. However, Badger coach Eric Hansen was named Coach of the Year for his team's sterling effort and Bucky the Badger had its best finish since placing second seven years ago.

“I’m really proud of our women and everything they accomplished,” coach Hansen said. “I don’t know how much more we could have done to make it a better meet. We really pulled off an amazing championship meet.”

The Badgers won four events Saturday, opening up the evening with three-straight wins. Wisconsin finished the four-day conference meet with nine titles: the 50-100-200-500-1650 frees, 200 back, 200-400-800 free relays. It was the second-straight year the Badgers swept the individual freestyle event titles.

Yet they STILL lost — by 30+ points. There ain't no justice!

In response to being named Coach of theYear, Hansen said:: "The award is something that is not necessarily just for me. It’s definitely a tribute to my staff and I know I have a great one. We go hard year-round and the right people are in place. I think that’s starting to show.”

Bader sophomore Carly Piper was named Swimmer of the Championship for the second consecutive year and was tabbed Swimmer of the Year after successfully defending her titles in the 200, 500 and 1650 free. Piper was also a member of the winning 400-800 free relays. She now owns nine Big Ten titles, only trailing UW’s most-decorated swimmer, Ellen Stonebraker, who holds 10. (And if Piper threepeats again next season that record'll be history,).

“Carly’s versatility is unmatched in the Big Ten and she’s proven herself as one of the elite swimmers in the nation,” Hansen said. “Her swimming made a statement and her versatility to go from the 100 [in the 400 free relay] to the mile was critical for us to do what we did.”

The Badgers set a Big Ten record en route to the 400 free relay titlle and Piper, swimming the third leg, went a fast 49.23 — second-quickest to anchor Sarah McCauley's 49.19.

* * * * *

Piper began the evening with her third individual gold, a nation-leading and Big Ten-record 16:02.61 for the 1650 free. The old record was a 16:14.67 by Minnesota's Kim Hansen from seven years ago.

McCauley, who already had a pair of individaul runner-up finishes in the 100 back-200 free (the latter to Piper, natch) finally won her first individual title with a 1:58.06-1:58.51 200 back swim over Iowa's Jen Skolaski. Michigan's Sara Johnson (1:58.65) won the bronze.

The 100 free saw Badger Jen Lyman, 50 champ, win the four-lapper with her Big Ten-record 49.64 — .01 off the NCAA "A" cut of 49.63. The old record was a 49.85 by former Micchigander Shannon Shakespeare from the Y2K Championships.

Michigan got its first win of the Championship when junior Kelli Stein came home first in the 200 breast (pr 2:12.90). Penn State's Courtney Stanchock (2:13.03) and Minnesota's Keri Hehn (2:13.22) were second and third.

Next it was the divine Ms B's (Penn State's Bidermann) turn in the spotlight and the Nittany Lion rookie responded with her Big Ten-record 1:58.08 for the 200 fly.

Following Hoosier Hildebrand's gold on the platform, all that remained was the 400 free relay.

Freshman Sarah Hernandes got the Badgers off to a good start (50.81), and 50-100 free champ Lyman followed with a 49.19. Piper's 49.23 paved the way for McCauley, who went 49.19 for the win in 3:18.42 and another Big Ten record. The old standard: 3:18.51 by Michigan.

* * * * *

Indiana's victory was summed up by 400 IM gold medalist Brooke Tatlinger, who said: "The girls that we have on this team, and the work ethic we have on this team are just tremendous, We felt that there was nothing that could stand in our way. The fact that it was such a full-team effort and that we all came together today, and the whole weekend, is most gratifying. It's just a relief that everyone came into this meet believing that we were actually going to do this and then we put it into action."

— Bill Bell

2003 WOMEN'S BIG 10 SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

DORIS Z. HOLLOWAY POOL
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN.
FEB. 22, 2003

25YD. POOL

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS

1. Indiana, 595
2. Wisconsin, 561
3. Penn State, 509
4. Michigan , 460
5. Purdue, 403
6. Minnesota, 400
7. Iowa, 265
8. Northwestern, 227
9. Ohio State, 172
10. Illinois, 146
11. Michigan State, 129

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Event 15 Women 1650 Yard Freestyle
===============================================================================
Big Ten: B 16:14.67 1995 Kim Wilson, Minnesota
16:27.53 *A
16:57.15 *B
Name Year School Seed Finals Points
===============================================================================
1 Piper, Carly N SO Wisconsin 16:04.49 16:02.61B*A 20
26.50 28.30 28.74 28.95 29.02 29.15 29.33 29.34
29.40 29.37 29.30 29.51 29.47 29.36 29.54 29.35
29.51 29.40 29.64 29.43 29.34 29.50 29.34 29.35
29.44 29.45 29.37 29.39 29.20 29.07 29.53 29.19
27.83
2 Fenn, Emily Clare JR Michigan 16:40.28 16:19.99 *A 17
27.60 29.66 29.88 29.76 29.80 29.87 29.78 29.90
29.84 29.93 29.72 30.01 29.86 29.97 30.05 29.95
30.04 29.79 29.84 29.87 29.60 29.65 29.83 29.74
29.72 29.60 29.80 29.75 29.66 29.72 29.58 29.37
28.85
3 Fiden, Sarah JR Indiana 16:21.13 16:21.24 *A 16
26.92 28.73 29.28 29.26 29.39 29.58 29.62 29.51
29.63 29.52 29.79 29.90 29.86 30.06 29.90 29.98
30.21 30.12 30.28 30.38 29.88 29.97 29.94 29.98
30.16 30.12 30.05 30.26 29.72 30.56 29.97 30.10
28.61
4 Anderson, Sally S JR Penn State 16:39.87 16:30.27 *B 15
28.10 29.90 30.38 30.74 30.21 30.43 30.41 30.44
30.19 30.42 30.17 30.22 30.37 30.43 30.14 30.34
30.21 30.12 30.04 29.81 29.97 29.93 29.90 29.90
29.79 30.09 30.06 30.13 29.72 29.72 29.53 29.71
28.75
5 West, Vicky JR Northwestern 16:52.15 16:35.10 *B 14
27.90 29.47 30.10 29.87 30.19 30.05 30.27 30.30
30.15 30.35 30.10 30.01 30.02 30.00 30.20 30.13
30.24 30.51 30.43 30.33 30.29 30.32 30.33 30.78
30.39 30.66 30.58 30.63 30.68 30.46 30.54 30.05
28.77
6 Bechem, Jenny SR Indiana 16:45.68 16:36.23 *B 13
28.04 29.71 29.69 30.07 30.31 30.32 30.11 30.30
30.32 30.49 30.31 30.25 30.26 30.45 30.33 30.54
30.57 30.08 30.20 30.54 30.08 30.28 30.36 30.31
30.82 30.60 30.56 30.51 29.98 30.39 30.58 30.13
28.74
7 Murphy, Patricia L FR Penn State 16:45.61 16:43.70 *B 12
28.37 30.15 30.58 30.58 30.55 30.67 30.53 30.45
30.35 30.52 30.34 30.32 30.23 30.28 30.30 30.25
30.38 30.37 30.60 30.78 30.35 30.54 30.46 30.49
30.58 30.78 30.76 30.70 30.84 30.77 30.73 30.52
29.58
8 Chandler, Erica FR Purdue 17:00.61 16:48.21 *B 11
27.61 30.43 30.32 30.46 30.46 30.19 30.49 30.38
30.31 30.44 29.70 30.07 30.24 29.93 30.22 30.84
31.17 30.88 31.20 31.08 30.99 31.04 31.15 31.18
31.34 31.40 31.36 31.07 31.26 31.02 31.04 29.99
28.95

Event 16 Women 200 Yard Backstroke
===============================================================================
Pool: P 1:59.79 2/2/2002 Jessica Aveyard, Illinois
Big Ten: B 1:54.65 1995 Alecia Humphrey, Michigan
1:57.70 *A
2:01.23 *B
Name Year School Prelims Finals Points
===============================================================================
A – Final
1 McCauley, Sarah E SR Wisconsin 1:59.30 1:58.06P*B 20
27.63 29.34 30.43 30.66
2 Skolaski, Jennifer SO Iowa 1:59.85 1:58.58P*B 17
27.80 29.66 30.52 30.60
3 Johnson, Sara JR Michigan 1:58.62 1:58.65P*B 16
28.22 29.47 30.16 30.80
4 Dolansky, Lisa M SR Purdue 2:00.53 1:59.57P*B 15
27.74 30.33 31.01 30.49
5 Haupt, Sarah E FR Penn State 2:00.56 1:59.70P*B 14
27.18 30.04 31.71 30.77
6 Hassebrdek, Elizab SR Wisconsin 2:00.28 1:59.81

Event 17 Women 100 Yard Freestyle
===============================================================================
Pool: P 50.95 11/1/2001 Carrie Nixon, Notre Dame
Big Ten: B 48.85 2000 Shannon Shakespeare, Michigan
49.63 *A
51.11 *B
Name Year School Prelims Finals Points
===============================================================================
A – Final
1 Lyman, Jennifer M SR Wisconsin 49.73 49.64P*B 20
11.41 12.46 12.81 12.96
2 Hernandez, Sarah M FR Wisconsin 50.21 50.15P*B 17
11.56 12.55 13.10 12.94
3 Baum, Dana SR Minnesota 50.70 50.24P*B 16
11.46 12.49 13.06 13.23
4 Dlugonski, Deirdre SO Penn State 50.65 50.25P*B 15
11.71 12.58 12.91 13.05
5 Medendorp, Meghan JR Indiana 50.64 50.32P*B 14
11.54 12.46 13.11 13.21
6 Abbey, Erin SR Michigan 50.75 50.72P*B 12.5
11.63 12.84 13.19 13.06
6 McCullough, Amy SO Michigan 50.72 50.72P*B 12.5
12.04 12.77 13.26 12.65
8 Bean, Jennifer L JR Purdue 50.77 50.94P*B 11
11.81 12.76 13.26 13.11

Event 18 Women 200 Yard Breaststroke
===============================================================================
Pool: P 2:15.34 2/2/2002 Ilkay Dikman, Illinois
Big Ten: B 2:11.60 1997 Gretchen Hegener, Minnesota
2:14.23 *A
2:18.25 *B
Name Year School Prelims Finals Points
===============================================================================
A – Final
1 Stein, Kelli JR Michigan 2:14.84 2:12.90P*A 20
30.90 33.92 33.89 34.19
2 Stanchock, Courtne SO Penn State 2:15.29 2:13.03P*A 17
30.46 34.15 34.79 33.63
3 Hehn, Keri SR Minnesota 2:13.72 2:13.22P*A 16
30.07 33.58 34.31 35.26
4 Wilson, Lindsey E SR Penn State 2:15.59 2:14.98P*B 15
30.61 34.09 34.50 35.78
5 Sarnecki, Amalia C FR Wisconsin 2:16.51 2:15.05P*B 14
30.69 34.23 35.13 35.00
6 Taflinger, Brooke JR Indiana 2:15.62 2:15.53 *B 13
31.36 33.91 35.06 35.20
7 Dikmen, Ilkay JR Illinois 2:15.29 2:17.12 *B 12
30.33 33.88 35.49 37.42
8 Lange, Lindsay M SR Purdue 2:16.57 2:19.57 11
29.97 35.11 36.26 38.23

Event 19 Women 200 Yard Butterfly
===============================================================================
Pool: P 2:01.48 11/15/2002Autumn Sample, Purdue
Big Ten: B 1:58.60 1989 Lori Holmes, Northwestern
1:58.98 *A
2:02.54 *B
Name Year School Prelims Finals Points
===============================================================================
A – Final
1 Biedermann, Amberl FR Penn State 1:58.94 1:58.08B*A 20
26.10 29.85 30.40 31.73
2 Lubus, Lauren FR Indiana 1:59.76 1:58.11B*A 17
26.29 29.29 30.78 31.75
3 Rodakowski, Juleen JR Minnesota 1:59.60 1:59.59P*B 16
27.40 30.25 31.03 30.91
4 Weilbacher, Anne JR Michigan 2:01.28 1:59.63P*B 15
27.58 30.66 30.72 30.67
5 Martin, Kristy SR Indiana 2:00.62 2:00.42P*B 14
26.91 30.38 31.30 31.83
6 Bechem, Jenny SR Indiana 2:01.05 2:00.46P*B 13
28.00 31.07 30.55 30.84
7 Finnerty, Patricia SR Purdue 2:02.34 2:02.83 12
27.47 30.55 31.40 33.41
8 Cosgrove, Carmen SR Northwestern 2:01.45 2:03.76 11
27.29 31.00 31.88 33.59

Event 20 Women Platform Diving
===============================================================================
Big Ten: B 570.75 1995 Kara Martin, Minnesota
Name Year School Prelims Finals Points
===============================================================================
Finals
1 Hildebrand, Sara SR Indiana 544.35 506.10 20
2 Diea, Natalia SR Ohio State 460.80 504.70 17
3 Cardinell, Cassand JR Indiana 462.90 461.35 16
4 Cornthwaite, Rebec SO Minnesota 405.75 415.80 15
5 Matthys, Lori SR Indiana 358.55 390.50 14
6 McCambridge, Carri FR Purdue 352.70 387.40 13
7 Carter, Ashley SO Northwestern 356.70 348.45 12
8 Hanneman, Holly SR Minnesota 354.50 328.45 11

Event 21 Women 400 Yard Freestyle Relay
===============================================================================
Pool: P 3:24.58 2/2/2002 Wisconsin
Lyman, Van Curen, McCauley, Pendleton
Big Ten: B 3:18.51 1999 Michigan
Eberwein, Crisman, Sugar, Shakespeare
3:20.26 *A
3:26.26 *B
School Seed Finals Points
===============================================================================
1 University of Wisconsin 'A' 3:19.72 3:18.42B*A 40
1) Hernandez, Sarah M FR 2) Lyman, Jennifer M SR
3) Piper, Carly N SO 4) McCauley, Sarah E SR
11.67 24.42 37.77 50.81 11.04 23.41 36.28 49.19
11.10 23.62 36.62 49.23 11.12 23.72 36.59 49.19
2 University of Michigan 'A' 3:20.38 3:21.92P*B 34
1) Abbey, Erin SR 2) Weilbacher, Anne JR
3) McCullough, Amy SO 4) Seskevics, Abby FR
11.72 24.49 37.79 50.84 11.49 24.16 37.11 49.86
11.08 23.99 37.41 50.49 11.20 23.79 37.17 50.73
3 Purdue University 'A' 3:26.20 3:22.12P*B 32
1) Bean, Jennifer L JR 2) Lange, Lindsay M SR
3) Duchac, Tracy L SO 4) Paradeise, Kim M SR
11.78 24.57 37.85 50.95 11.07 23.95 37.34 50.75
11.07 23.64 37.10 50.63 10.86 23.37 36.50 49.79
4 Penn State University 'A' 3:26.94 3:22.27P*B 30
1) Semchyshen, Lauren L SO 2) Dlugonski, Deirdre M SO
3) Biedermann, Amberle M FR 4) Hostetler, Kathryn M SR
11.86 24.55 37.94 51.59 11.17 23.67 36.85 50.05
11.17 23.73 36.84 50.12 10.88 23.55 37.20 50.51
5 University of Minnesota 'A' 3:29.36 3:22.72P*B 28
1) Baum, Dana SR 2) Coombe, Katy SO
3) Moore, Megan JR 4) Hardt, Kate FR
11.64 24.47 37.66 50.74 11.28 24.04 37.42 50.99
11.16 23.92 37.23 50.56 11.21 23.96 37.17 50.43
6 Indiana University 'A' 3:26.20 3:23.03P*B 26
1) Medendorp, Meghan JR 2) Kostner, Tammy SO
3) Gretlund, Tina SR 4) Smith, Erin SO
11.58 24.11 37.12 50.11 11.49 24.35 37.89 51.71
11.62 24.21 37.52 50.73 11.21 23.85 37.09 50.48
7 University of Iowa 'A' 3:29.03 3:24.01P*B 24
1) Haeger, Katie SO 2) Skolaski, Jennifer SO
3) Hooper, Christie JR 4) Strub, Erin SR
11.57 24.37 38.03 51.81 11.23 24.10 37.34 50.28
11.53 24.30 37.68 51.21 11.03 23.73 37.12 50.71
8 Northwestern University 'A' 3:28.09 3:24.86 *B 22
1) Nath, Paige SO 2) Swenson, Erin JR
3) Petric, Sara FR 4) Cosgrove, Carmen SR
11.72 24.50 37.90 51.32 11.37 24.20 37.56 50.96
11.29 24.19 37.68 51.13 11.18 24.50 38.13 51.45
9 Michigan State University 'A' 3:29.25 3:24.87 *B 18
1) Kniff, Katrina V FR 2) Copestick, Alicia R SO
3) Jones, Tammy M SO 4) Hagerman, Rachael S FR
11.74 24.57 38.06 51.54 11.57 24.63 38.17 51.88
11.14 24.01 37.26 50.11 11.01 24.01 37.86 51.34
10 University of Illinois 'A' 3:30.10 3:26.55 14
1) Brunka, Christina K FR 2) Downing, Amy C SO
3) McAdam, Crystal L JR 4) Koepcke, Kirsten A SO
11.74 24.51 37.91 51.31 11.55 24.55 38.25 52.00
11.31 24.26 37.93 52.05 11.64 24.57 37.90 51.19
11 Ohio State University 'A' 3:33.16 3:31.01 12
1) Severson, Katie JR 2) Lipkis, Kristina SO
3) Goodson, Lindsay JR 4) Grantstein, Abby SO
11.74 24.52 38.20 52.15 11.66 24.93 38.58 52.30
11.87 25.45 39.47 53.44 12.02 25.33 39.23 53.12

2003 ALL BIG TEN HONORS

Swimming Coach of the Year – Eric Hansen, Wisconsin

Diving Coach of the Year – Jeff Huber, Indiana

Swimmer of the Year – Carly Piper, Wisconsin

Diver of the Year – Sara Hildebrand, Indiana

Freshman of the Year – Amberle Biedermann, Penn State

Swimmer of the Championship – Carly Piper, Wisconsin

Diver of the Championship – Sara Hildebrand, Indiana

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