Oct. 21, 2006

Final Stats

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Sophomore Marissa Clapp earned three more top finishes on Saturday and helped the 200 medley relay to another victory, as Illinois defeated Michigan State 166-134 in East Lansing.

Clapp swam the second leg of the 200 medley relay that included freshman Cece Marizu and seniors Michelle Grandcolas and Meghan Farrell to win their race. The Danville, Ill. native also won the 100 breast, 200 breast and 400 IM. In total, the second-year swimmer finished with a team-leading five first-place events this weekend at Oakland University and Michigan State.

Freshman Jen Ivarson came in second to Clapp in the 400 IM and won the 200 and 100 fly. Ivarson and senior Barbie Viney end the first two meets with four top finishes each after Viney claimed the 100 and 200 free on Saturday. Viney also started the winning 200 free relay and finished second to Farrell in the 50 free at Michigan State.

"Overall, I was very happy with the way the team was able to come back in our second competition in as many days and step up the intensity against Michigan State today," head coach Sue Novitsky said.

"Michigan State is a much-improved team from the past couple years. It was a pretty close meet all the way through, and I was very proud that they never let their guard down. We stayed with it the entire way."

The Orange and Blue's trio of divers finished fourth, fifth and sixth at Michigan State, but diving coach Chris Waters was pleased with the group's efforts this weekend.

"I was telling them that their learning curve is going up," Waters said. "They're learning that they can hang with the better teams in the conference, and that was what we saw today. I was really happy."

Illinois returns to the pool next weekend for one meet at Illinois State on Friday at 5 p.m.

Saturday's results:
Final score: Illinois 166, Michigan State 134

Illinois top finishes:
200 medley relay (a):
Marizu, Clapp, Michelle Grandcolas, Farrell (1:47.62)

200 free:                      Viney 1:51.90
100 breast:                    Clapp 1:06.14
200 fly                        1. Ivarson             2:05.41
                               2. Jessica Rothenberg  2:08.83
50 free:                       1.  Farrell            23.65
                               2. Viney               23.74
100 free:                      1. Viney               51.92
                               2. Farrell             52.53
200 breast:                       Clapp               2:19.01
100 fly:                          Ivarson             57.92
400 IM:                        1. Clapp               4:27.43
                               2. Ivarson             4:32.03
200 free relay (a):
Viney, Poetz, Michelle Grandcolas, Farrell(1:35.67)