Results
Nov. 20, 2011
Contact: Tim Ertle
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EVANSTON, Ill. - Two more school records from Joanna Olsson and another Alice Sommerville win highlighted day three of the TYR Invitational. With standout showings from that duo and strong performances from the rest of the Cleveland State women's swimming and diving team, the Vikings placed fifth in a deep eight-team field that featured schools from BCS conferences.
Host Northwestern (866) and Illinois (694) of the Big 10 were first and second, respectively. Iowa State (693) and Nebraska (517) also finished ahead of CSU, who finished the three-day event with 465 points.
Missouri State (450), Horizon League foe UIC (207) and Kenyon (205) completed the rest of the field.
"We slid into fifth place today, but we won't pay all too much attention to that," head coach Wally Morton said. "Our purpose was to work on certain events and at times it came at the expense of the team score. There were so many positives to take out of this weekend.
"I'm really happy with the dynamic of our team," Morton added. "I'm pleased with the effort. We raced more than any other team and put our student-athletes through a lot. The team is exhausted, but they held up really well physically and psychologically after a tough weekend. I'm happy and proud of where we are at for this point in the season and am excited about what is still to come."
After breaking a school record in the 200 IM on Friday (Nov. 18) and shattering the previous school best in the 400 IM yesterday, Joanna Olsson set two new school records on Sunday.
Her 2:02.43 in the 200 fly was good for third in the race, but bested her own school record time of 2:02.56 set last season.
Olsson finished second in the consolation final of the 200 breast, but her 2:21.23 was a new school record, topping the 2:22.19 that Michelle Ferro swam last season.
"Joanna broke those school records within a span of 15 minutes," Morton said. "She had an incredible weekend and we're extremely pleased with how she is performing. Joanna puts in a lot of work and it's really paying off."
Sommerville picked up her fifth win of the Invitational when she touched first in the 50 fly (24.76). She also picked up a fourth place in the 100 free when she recorded a 51.50.
Alexandra Johannson placed fourth in the 50 fly with a 25.84, a time that puts her fifth in school history in that event.
Carys Behn swam a 52.06 in the 100 free prelims and Christine Kopacko was fourth in the 100 free consolation final with a 52.22, just behind her 52.16 last year which was the fourth quickest time in school history.
Allison Pallija was another Viking who improved a personal best time. Her 2:23.14 in the 200 breast was an improvement of the 2:23.46 she swam last season, a time that was the third best in school history.
The Vikings will return to action a week from Tuesday when they host the Cleveland Dual Invitational on Nov. 29. Canisius, John Carroll and Notre Dame (OH) will visit the Robert F. Busbey Natatorium with diving events beginning at 3:00 p.m. and swimming events getting started at 5:00 p.m.
