Jan. 30, 2002
Evanston, Ill. - With almost four weeks to go until the Big Ten Championships, the 16th-ranked Northwestern women's swimming and diving team will take to the road this week for their final two duals of the season. The 'Cats will meet Big East rival Notre Dame Thursday at 5 p.m., then continue east for their last Big Ten dual against Michigan Friday at 4 p.m.
Notre Dame is currently ranked 13th in the nation with an unblemished 8-0 dual mark. Last year in Evanston, The Fighting Irish defeated NU, 154-146. In the meet, four Wildcats finished first in their events- Katie Simmons (100 and 200 breaststroke), Erin Swenson (100 and 200 freestyle), Rachel Johnson (200 butterfly) and Merritt Adams (100 butterfly). The 'Cats also won both relay events, but it was the Irish's depth in the pool and experience on the springboard that gave them the overall advantage and the win.
Last year against Michigan, the 'Cats pulled out a victory in the 200 freestyle relay-the final race of the day-to edge the Wolverines, 157-143. Michigan is currently ranked No. 17 and coming off two Big Ten wins last weekend. The Wolverines defeated Ohio State and Michigan State for their first dual wins of the season.
"We will be challenged against two very talented teams in Notre Dame and Michigan," said Wildcat head coach Jimmy Tierney. "We have responded very well so far this year, and I expect us to compete with a tremendous amount of spirit and intensity. We are excited to face two of our biggest rivals."
After sweeping both backstroke events in NU's last outing against Penn State, junior Susie Sample (LaGrange, Ill./Tyons Township) was named collegeswimming.com National Swimmer of the Week. She is the second Wildcat to earn the honor this season. Vicky West (Redlands, Calif./Redlands) captured the award the week of Jan. 14. Against the Nittany Lions, Sample swam season-best times in the 100 (56.52) and 200 backstroke (2:00.42). Her time in the 100 was an NCAA provisional time, while her 200 time was .02 seconds short of the cut.