Women’s Swimming & Diving Takes On Akron, Opens Big Ten Play vs. No. 14 Indiana – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/8/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swim & Dive
Jan. 8, 2003
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COLUMBUS, Ohio– The Ohio State women’s swimming and diving team looks to improve its 6-1 mark when they compete in a pair of dual meets at the Mike Peppe Aquatic Center this weekend. The team begins Friday at 6 p.m. against Akron and concludes its weekend Saturday when it openes Big Ten play vs. No. 14 Indiana in a coed meet at 1 p.m.
STRUNK RECEIVES BIG TEN HONOR
Deanna Strunk has truly impacted the women’s swimming and diving program.
The freshman was a double-event winner over Cleveland State, finishing first in the 200-yard individual medley in a time of 2:12.93. She also placed first in the 500-yard freestyle in a time of 5:11.39. In addition, she holds team’s season best times in the 200 and 400 IM with times of 2:08.38 and 4:29.27. In addition, she holds team’s best of the season in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:08.38.
Since the season began, Strunk has dominated, taking first place a total of 11 times in four different events. Strunk has definitely stepped uhiop where Ohio State needed her most in the 200-yard butterfly, 200-yard individual medley and has given the Buckeyes depth in the backstroke. Strunk has guided the Buckeyes to a 6-1 season record.
SCOUTING THE ZIPS
The Akron Zips are a young team, having only been in existence for five seasons. Last season the Zips finished seventh at the Mid American Conference Championships.
The team returns the 2002 MAC 100-yard backstroke champion, senior Michelle Thomas. Thomas, also competes in the individual medley and medley relay and is listed on Akron’s Top 10 performers list in 11 individual events and in every relay. Akron also returns senior diver Kathleen Christian, the 1-meter dive champion in the MAC.
The Zips will also look to freshmen swimmers Megan Walters and diver Lindsey Power to make an immediate impact in the pool.
THE ZIPS LAST TIME OUT
On Nov. 11, 2002 the Zips took a win over Kenyon, 172-120.
The first event was dominated by the Zips in the 200-yard medley relay in a time of 1:49.10.
Freshman Megan Walters placed second in the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 1:57.00 and in the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 55.31. She also placed first in the 500-yard freestkye in a time of 5:15.20.
Junior Andrea Gary placed first in the 200-yard butterfly in a time of 2:09.77 and in the 200-yard backstroke in a time of 2:08.26.
Sophomore Brenda Norris placed first in the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 25.58 and in the 100-freestyle in a time of 55.25.
SCOUTING THE HOOSIERS
The No. 14 Indiana Hoosiers are 4-0 in dual meets this season and also posted an impressive third-place finish at the Miami (Ohio) Invitational, Dec. 5-7.
Junior Brooke Taflinger has been a force for the team in individual medley events, where she owns team bests in both the 200 and 400-yard events. At the U.S Open, Dec. 5-7 in Mineaspolis, Minn., Taflinger placed third overall in the 400-meter long course individual medley, posting a national qualifying time.
In distance freestyle, Sarah Fiden is emerging as a superstar. Fiden, a junior, already has posted school records of 9:54.01 and 16:21.13 in the 1,000 and 1,650-yard freestyle.
SENIOR DAY THIS WEEKEND
Ohio State head coach Jeanne Fleck invites you to the team’s meet vs. No. 14 Indiana Saturday Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. at the Mike Peppe Aquatic Center, where the swimming team will honor its four seniors in a pre-meet ceremony.
The team’s seniors include Kim Bojko, Nicole Hamilton, Stacy Lowry and Amanda Treleaven.
The women’s senior divers will be honored next week prior to the coed meet vs. Michigan State along with the seniors from the men’s swimming and diving team.
OSU FINISHES 2002 WITH 122-70 WIN OVER CLEVELAND STATE
The Ohio State women’s swimming and diving team won its sixth meet of the season taking victories in nine of 11 events to beat Cleveland State 122-70, Nov. 26 at the Robert F. Busby Natatorium in Cleveland, Ohio.
Stephanie Raezar won the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 1:55.77. She also stepped up in the 100-yard butterfly, winning the event in a time of 59.51. Deanna Strunk also was a double-event winner, finishing first in the 200-yard individual medley in a time of 2:12.93. She also placed first in the 500 free in a time of 5:11.39.
Ashley Routson placed first in the 50 free in a time of 25:43, while Kristina Lipkis won the 100 free in a time of 55:68.
Kylie Lancken turned in the fastest time in the 1,000 free, taking top honors in the event with a time of 10:28.34. She placed second in the women 100-yard backstroke in a time of 1:00.00.
Katie Kolles, Marianne Sharp, Erin Greene and Routson were members of that winning 200-yard medley relay team that turned in a time of 1:40.51, the team’s best time of the season.
Kolles, Ashley Barnes , Lipkis and Greene came together to win 200-yard freestyle relay that turned in a time of 1:42.66.
ABOUT COACH FLECK
Coach Jeanne Fleck enters her fourth season at the helm of the Ohio State women’s swimming program looking for her team to display excellence both in the water and classroom. She has become accustomed to both throughout her coaching career.
The Buckeyes also excelled in the classroom with an overall grade point average of 3.34 last season.
It was no coincidence that seven Buckeyes were named Academic All-Big Ten following the winter quarter and that 16 earned OSU Scholar-Athlete honors. As a unit, the Ohio State women’s swimming program took home team Academic All-America honors awarded by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) for the 2001-02 season. In three seasons, Fleck has engineered 25 Academic All-Big Ten selections and 41 OSU Scholar-Athlete honors. Fleck has geared the Buckeyes to one school record and two pool records.
ABOUT COACH PANZANO
Vince Panzano continues his legacy at Ohio State as he enters his 25th year as coach of the Buckeye men’s and women’s divers.
Panzano, who was named the 2002 Big Ten Diving Coach of the Year (the seventh time he has earned the honor) has produced one world champion, one junior world champion, two eight Americans.
UP NEXT
The team will continue its Big Ten schedule Saturday, Jan 17 at 5 p.m. when the it plays hosts to the Michigan State Spartans at the Mike Peppe Aquatic Center.
