Women's swimming and diving captures third
Date 12/9/1999 12:00 AM | Topic: SportsThe Norse women's swimming and diving team battled through tough competition Saturday, Dec. 4 en route to a third place at the St. Mary's Invitational with 611 points.
Concordia College reeled in the top finish with 635.5 points followed by the University of St. Thomas with 613 points.
"We worked hard the week prior to this meet and we swam pretty well," stated Head Coach Kay McGrew. "The two teams that beat us were up in quality this year, so the competition was strong."
"The fact that we were missing three swimmers due to illness, injury, and Juletide, including our #2 Breaststoker, did not help our situation. With those three we would have gotten second and made a possible run at first," stated Coach McGrew.
Jo Aiels ('02) led the Norse through the days competition with two first place finishes. She snagged first in the 50 Free in 25.86, while Micah Swesey ('03) captured third in 26.84.
Aiels captured first in the 100 Free in a time of 57.71. Cara Asplund ('01) and Swesey placed fourth and fifth in 59.43 and 59.62, respectively.
Asplund just missed a second place finish, but recorded a personal record in the 200 Fly, placing third with a time of 2:28.55. Betsy Strey ('02) slid in behind Asplund in fourth with a time of 2:31.63.
Asplund for the first time tried her hand at the 400 Individual Medley, grabbing a fifth place finish for the Norse.
"We have had trouble in the distance events this year because we are short people," stated McGrew. "But, it is wonderful to see other swimmers step up and volunteer to swim those events for the team."
Stephanie Haasis ('03) was one who volunteered to swim distance in the 1,650 Free. She captured a fifth place finish in her first attempt at a distance event.
Luther's 200 free relay team claimed first in 1:46.65 and the 200 Medley Relay squad placed third in 2:05.65 to round out Luther's top finishes on the day.
"We had a number of personal bests in this meet," stated Coach McGrew. "Senior Jen Shaw had a great meet with a personal best in the 500 Free and possibly in the 100 Back."
"We have swam well in a number of meets this season, but the other teams have been just a bit stronger," stated Coach McGrew. "Right now we are trying to swim through the season and get the best times that we can."
The Norse will host the Luther-Loras Invitational Saturday, Dec. 11 at home. The meet will start at 9 a.m. Come and support your Norse.
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Rachel Nicholas
Chips Sports Editor
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