Women's Swimmers Host Initial Home Meets
10/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Oct. 20, 2011
OXFORD, Ohio - A young but talented Miami University women's swimming and diving team opens its season at home this weekend, hosting Purdue (Friday, 5 p.m.) and Xavier (Saturday, 2 p.m.) at the Nixon Aquatic Center, inside the university's Recreation Center.
RedHawk head coach Dave Jennings suffered significant losses with the graduation of eight swimmers, including All-American Kelsey Vehr and major point producer Megan Brunn, so he'll rely upon some untested student-athletes to come through as freshmen. Thirty-seven of his 42 returnees are underclassmen, including a dozen first-year performers.
Among the swimmers and divers who scored points at the 2011 Mid-American Conference Championships and who are returning this season for Jennings are seniors Chelsey Bruington (Mission Viejo, CA), Kelsey Mallon (Wheaton, IL), Brittney Rohr (Dayton) and Lauren Wallace (Columbus), juniors Katie Arlinghaus (Oxford), CORY BANGS (Monument, CO), Stacie Clagg (Canton), Maddie Kete (Bay Village), Maegan O'Connor (Fishers, IN), Leah Thornton (Helena, AL), Jenny Warmolts (Columbus), Lisa Werwinski (North Canton) and Bekka Westrick (Fairfield), and sophomores Nikki Craft (Bay Village) and Cynthia Donovan (Cincinnati). Miami's 12 freshmen all are expected to contribute in 2011-12, including Katie Bootsma (Eden Prairie, MN), Courtney Collett (Hilton Head Island, SC) and Lauren Sichterman (South Lebanon).
"The team is looking forward to competing this weekend against a very strong Purdue team and a solid team from Xavier," said Jennings. "It is always exciting to start the competitive season after just training for the past two months. We are looking forward to seeing how our team responses to racing and competing."
Purdue's women's team, coached by John Klinge, also graduated a large group of experienced seniors, but has welcomed back five swimmers that qualified for the NCAA Championships. Emily Fogle, Lauren Gustafson, Caitlin Hamilton, Nichols and Roth enter the season as the program's most accomplished performers. Hamilton begins her junior year as the program record holder in the three distance freestyle events (500, 1,000 and mile). Last season, Purdue defeated Miami by a score of 190-105. The Boilermakers placed fifth in the 2010 Big Ten Championships.
Last season, the RedHawks defeated Coach Brent MacDonald's Xavier Musketeers, 193-67. The Xavier women suffered a loss at Louisville (190-67) in their season opener. The tandem of Lynn Brotherton, Brittany Morguelian, Grace Raynor and senior Mary Podlaski took first in the 800 free relay. Freshman Carolyn Stewart took home a first-place finish with a victory in the 200 individual medley.
Purdue Order of Events (Fri., Oct. 21, 5 p.m.)
200 Medley Relay
1000 Freestyle
200 Freestyle
100 Backstroke
100 Breaststroke
200 Butterfly
50 Freestyle
One Meter Diving
100 Freestyle
200 Backstroke
200 Breaststroke
500 Freestyle
100 Butterfly
Three Meter Diving
200 Individual Medley
400 Freestyle Relay
Xavier Order of Events (Sat., Oct. 22, 2 p.m.)
400 Medley Relay
1000 Freestyle
200 Freestyle
100 Backstroke
100 Breaststroke
200 Butterfly
50 Freestyle
One Meter Diving
100 Freestyle
200 Backstroke
200 Breaststroke
500 Freestyle
100 Butterfly
Three Meter Diving
400 Individual Medley
200 Freestyle Relay
Next Saturday (Oct. 29), Miami's women compete at Akron.
--www.MURedHawks.com--
Players Mentioned
