BLOOMINGTON - The theme song to "Mission Impossible" rang as Michigan's 800-yard freestyle relay team took to the victory podium. But the song wasn't fitting.
Instead, "We are the champions," which played when Michigan received its 1998 Big Ten swimming and diving championship, better represented the victors.
The championships were far from an impossible mission for No. 6 Michigan as it brought home its 12th straight Big Ten championship.
With a final score of 788 points, Michigan outdistanced its nearest opponent, Minnesota by 144 points.
Michigan junior Jennie Eberwein was the star, coming away with three first place finishes and setting meet and pool records in all three events.
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| LOUIS BROWN/Daily The Michigan women's swimming team won its 12th straight Big Ten Championship, outdistancing second-place Minnesota by 144 points. |
But it was in the 100 free that Eberwein proved she deserved swimmer of the meet honors. In the final heat of the event, Eberwein broke her own record, winning the event with a time of 49.07.
"I didn't even realize I'd set the record," Eberwein said. "I just came in hoping to get NCAA cut times, and I did that in all three of my events. I'm just really happy with my performance and our team's."
Senior Linda Riker's victory in the 200-yard backstroke made her part of a legacy. The victory was Michigan's tenth straight Big Ten championship in the event.
"My freshman year we swept the event," Riker said. "When we were on the podium that year, (Big Ten record holder) Alecia Humphrey challenged me to carry on the legacy."
Michigan coach Jim Richardson - five time Big Ten coach of the year - was pleased with his relay teams.
"We swam really good, aggressive relays," Richardson said. "There haven't been many times where we've won all four relays. I never would've guessed that, especially with the medleys, because Minnesota and Northwestern are so strong."
While in Richardson's eyes the meet wasn't perfect, to the untrained eye, Michigan appeared completely in control.
Though only two freshmen made the all Big Ten team, several others came up with big scores that figured into Michigan's victory.
Jennifer Crisman lead the class of 2001 with a victory in the 100 back, earning her an automatic NCAA time. She also took second in the 100-yard butterfly and third in the 50 free.
Following her classmate's lead, Stephanie Armstrong swam several strong races and earned NCAA consideration times in all three of her races.
"It was so fun," Armstrong said. "The team atmosphere is so amazing, I just had a really good time. I just love our class. We've all become really close this year, and I look forward to swimming with them for the next three years."
Nearly every one of the Wolverines credited teammates for their support.
"Though each race is an individual event, when you're standing up on the blocks, it's so great to have your teammates and parents supporting you," Riker said.
The team effort showed in Michigan's win. Four of its top swimmers, Shannon Shakespeare, Talor Bendel, Kasey Harris and Riker all previously qualified for the NCAAs and therefore didn't rest much before the Big Ten meet.
Shakespeare had several fast races in which she anchored her relay teams, but she also watched a few of her records go.
"Its good to see records broken," Shakespeare said. "That's what they're there for. It gives me something to work for next year and at NCAAs. But it was great that they were broken by teammates."
02-23-98
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