The Michigan women's swimming and diving team passed its first test of the season this weekend, dunking three teams at the Minnesota Quad-Dual Invitational.
In head-to-head competition, the Wolverines outscored Northwestern, 228-114, and North Carolina, 192-161. The true competition came from last year's Big Ten runner-up, Minnesota, which came within one point of the Wolverines, 177-176.
"Considering all the hard training we've been through this week, I thought we swam very well," senior co-captain Ellen Fraumann said.
Despite sweeping all three teams in the final standings, Michigan (2-0 Big Ten, 4-0 overall) won only three of the 15 individual events. Sophomore Shannon Shakespeare won the individual medley and senior Talor Bendel captured top honors in the 200-yard freestyle.
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| MARGARET MYERS/Daily Michigan sophomore Shannon Shakespeare won the individual medley in this weekend's Minnesota Quad-Dual Invitational. |
"We knew Kasey would be good when we recruited her," Michigan coach Jim Richardson said. "She will swim well in season, and will also be very good at the end of the season."
The Wolverines demonstrated their strength in freestyle with victories in the 400 and 800 free relays, and a close second-place finish in the 200 free relay.
Senior Linda Riker was strong in the backstroke with two second-place finishes, and sophomore Hanna Shin finished second to Minnesota's T.D. Rowe in the one-meter spring board.
Surprisingly, this team is not considered to be as deep as in years past.
"Really, we don't have as much depth this year, but there are areas at the NCAA level where we will be exceptional," Richardson said.
Richardson said that the team showed excellent potential in the freestyle, and he said he expects the medley relay to be competitive at the end of the season.
One of Michigan's few concerns, however, still lies with the breaststroke events. Despite a 3-4 finish in the 100 breast, the Wolverines failed to crack the top five in the 200 breast.
Still, the Wolverines have confidence that they will match up well in the event as the season progresses.
"People come out at the end of the season like you wouldn't believe," Fraumann said. "I am very confident in our breast strokers."
This meet also showcased a long standing tradition in Big Ten women's swimming and diving - sportsmanship.
As the old saying goes, it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game, and Big Ten teams seem to exemplify this statement well.
"There's a very high level of mutual respect in this conference," Richardson said. "Other coaches are always very supportive of swimmers on other teams."
Michigan will have two weeks to prepare before it hosts conference rival Penn State at Canham Natatorium.
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