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Hoosiers Start Season By Defeating Rice in Dual Meet

Oct 30, 1999

Bloomington, Ind.- The Indiana Women's Swimming team began the 1999-2000 regular season with a win against Rice University at the Councilman/Billingsley Aquatics Center. The Hoosiers defeated the Owls 123-82.

The Hoosiers started the night off strong by taking first and second in the 400 Medley Relay (3:56.35 and 4:04.02). Rice answered that 1-2 punch by taking the top spots in the 1000-yard freestyle. Rachel Doyle won the event (10:21.49) with teammate Kathryn Scholl taking a close second (10:21.89). IU All-American Jennifer Cristy continued her winning ways for the Hoosiers. Cristy took first in the 200 free (1:52.20) and the 100 free (51.66). Both of Cristy's times were a second-two seconds off her best times from last season.

Head coach Dorsey Tierney was impressed with her swimmers' performances tonight. "I'm very pleased with the way we finished our races tonight. I'm also very happy with the consistancy we are starting to show. Our upperclassmen are much faster at the start of this year, and our freshmen are adjusting well to college racing."

Indiana continues to see improvement in their freshman class. Tina Gretlund and Kristy Martin each got wins for the Hoosiers. Gretlund took the 200 IM (2:09.18) and took second in the 200 breast (2:25.55). Martin won the 200 fly (2:08.20) and joined Gretlund for third in the 200 breast (2:28.53). Other freshmen that contributed were Anne Williams (second in 100 free, 53.53, and on winning 200 free relay team), Maggie Helmers (6th in 200 IM, 2:14.09; and 2nd in 200 fly, 2:09.44), and Colleen McCracken (2nd in 200 back, 2:09.32).

The Owl's coach, Doug Boyd(former IU swimmer) said he'd give Rice "a B" for their performance tonight. "I'm hard to satisfy," he said. "We've been training hard, and probably are a bit tired. Our distance swimmers swam really well. Rachel Doyle is well ahead of last year. But we're a small squad, so I think our depth really hurts us."

Rice claimed five of eleven events taking the 1000 free, 50 free, 200 back, 500 free and the 200 breaststroke. IU won both relay events, had strong showings in the sprints, but fell short on the distance events. Illness has played a part in the Hoosiers' struggles, as several team members are still recovering, yet trying to swim.

The Hoosiers have no time to rest, as they travel to Evanston, Ill. to race against Northwestern and Northern Illinois on Saturday the 30th at 5 p.m. IU is again in action on Halloween, when they participate in the Northwestern Relays. Sunday's start time is 12 p.m.

Courtesy: Indiana University