Feb. 20, 2002
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Fighting Illini women's swimming and diving team began competition at the Big Ten Championships hosted by the University of Michigan at the Donald B. Canham Natatorium on Wednesday evening, setting a new school records in both of the events in which they competed. The 200-medley relay team set a mark of 1:42.99, giving them a deceiving seventh place finish. The Illini also set a new school record in the 800 free relay with a time of 7:22.08. This year's Big Ten Championship is making history with events starting on Wednesday night for the first time.
"The first relay was a great swim for us, really a great way to start the meet," head coach Sue Novitsky said. "This time generates a lot of momentum for us as a team, setting a school record and gaining NCAA consideration."
The 200-medley relay got off to a fast pace thanks to junior Alison Czmarko's time of 26.19 in the 50 back portion of the event. Coincidentally, Czmarko's time broke her own school record. Sophomore Ilkay Dikmen, junior Astrid Matthias and senior Ashley Braun continued the torrid pace en route to breaking the previous record of 1:44.23, which was set on Feb. 19, 1999.
In the final event of the night, the 800 free relay team placed sixth as they swam an Illinois record time of 7:22.08, meeting the NCAA "B" qualifying standard. Senior Jessica Aveyard swam the first 200 yards in a time of 1:48.52, also giving her a "B" standard qualification. Freshman Kirsten Koepcke, senior Jen Peters and sophomore Crystal McAdam rounded out the record-setting relay team for the Illini.
"One of our goals this year was to really step up our relay times," Novitsky added. "We have accomplished those goals and are now looking forward to maintaining our momentum in the individual events to come."
Illinois will swim back into action on Thursday, with swimming prelims in the 500 free, 200 IM and 50 free beginning at 11 a.m. EST. The divers will see action in the preliminary rounds of the 1-meter competition, beginning at 1 p.m. EST.
