EVANSTON, Ill. -- Rachel Johnson (Champaign, Ill/Centennial) posted personal season best times in the 400 IM (4:23.59) and the 200 fly (2:02.81) to help her team cruise to an easy second-place finish at the NU Invitational. The Wildcats were unable to catch No. 1 ranked UCLA, but did put a 447.5-point cushion between themselves and third-place South Carolina. Ohio State was fouth with 376 points in three days of competition.

NU placed a swimmer in the top three of all but two events. UCLA played the role of spoiler going 1-2-3 in the 50 and 100 freestyle sprints to keep the Wildcats from making it a complete showing.

Johnson took home the 400 IM and the 200 IM (2:04.27) titles, plus added a second-place finish in the 200 fly. The Wildcats had six first-place finishes in all. Katie Simmons won the 100 brest (1:04.59) and the 200 breast (2:18.10), Tashy Bohm won the 200 back (2:01.34) and Erica Rose won the 1650 free (16:52.20). Rose also placed second in the 500 free (4:56.53) and the 400 IM (4:25.56). The `Cats also swept the 400 IM as Johnson, Rose and Simmons finished 1-2-3.

In the relays, NU placed second in all five events, while UCLA grabbed the top spot each time.

Christy Michalak led the NU divers with fifth place finishes in both the 1-meter (221.75) and 3-meter competition (395.90). The standings for the two events were mere duplicates of each other, with the Bruins continuing their dominance by placing divers in the top three spots.

Up next for Northwestern The Wildcats travel to Tempe, Ariz. on December 16th for a three-way meet against Arizon State and Washington.