Sunday, January 20, 2008

Women's Swimming vs. Michigan

This weekend, Northwestern traveled to Ann Arbor, Mich., to face No.13 Michigan in its final road dual meet of the season. Before the meet, coach Jimmy Tierney was cautiously optimistic, knowing that his team was facing what he called the "best Big Ten team at nationals last year."

After the meet against Tennessee the first weekend of the month, the coaches realized the girls were exhausted, after several hard weeks of training over Christmas break. However, Tierney knew that at this point, his girls could put up a fight, and he was excited for the showdown between the two teams.

Despite several strong swims from the Wildcats, they fell to the Wolverines, 152-134. The girls opened up the meet with a second-place showing in the 200 medley relay, with a squad consisting of freshman Katie Eschenburg, junior Hayley Fry, and seniors Katie Braun and Andrea Hupman.

The sprinters on the team had a great showing at the meet, winning four of the top-five places in the 50 free and three of the top-five spots in the 100 free.

Sophomore Kassia Shishkoff had a season-best swim in the 500 free this weekend. Shishkoff came from behind to beat Michigan's Emily Brunemann in the last 50 yards of the event, and she earned a NCAA 'B' qualifying time.

NU, now with a record of 5-4, hosts Ohio State in its senior meet this coming Saturday.

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