Women's swimmers wound rival Eagles

Wolverines see 64-point victory over Eastern Michigan as an indicator for the future

YPSILANTI - In most sports, the regular season is just a precursor to the postseason. For swimming, this fact is not only true, but it's reinforced by the coaches at every possible moment.

Although the Michigan women's swimming team maintains that its dual meets are just a warmup to the Big Ten and NCAA meets, it would have a hard time convincing Eastern Michigan.

The Wolverines began their dual-meet schedule Friday night with a resounding 149-85 trouncing of the Eagles.

The 64-point spread wasn't indicative of the meet's lopsidedness, however. The Eagles accumulated 22 points due to Michigan disqualifications in the final two events - the 200 breaststroke and the 400 freestyle relay.

WARREN ZINN/Daily The Michigan women's swimming team opened up its dual-meet schedule in an impressive fashion by beating Eastern Michigan, 149-85.

"I think that Jim (Richardson) has a great program," Eastern Michigan coach Scott Peters said. "They've got excellent fundamentals, they are very physically fit and they are a very enthusiastic team."

Michigan's performance was even more impressive, considering that the Wolverines didn't have NCAA qualifier Shannon Shakespeare at the meet. Shakespeare was in Perth, Australia, swimming for Canada in the World Championships.

"Scott Peters is a friend of mine. He's building the program here," Michigan coach Jim Richardson said. "He's only in his second year. I'm pleased that he was willing to swim us - a lot of people aren't willing to swim us."

As they captured the first 11 events, Richardson's team didn't act like appreciative guests of the Eagles. The Wolverines captured the top four places in four events and the top three places in three others. If they hadn't been disqualified in the relay, the Wolverines would have made a clean sweep of the meet.

Senior Talor Bendel led the way for the Wolverines, finishing first in the 200 butterfly and 200 free. She also collected a third victory by swimming the third leg of Michigan's first-place 800-free relay.

"I think the fastest swims of the meet were Cathy O'Neill's mile and Bendel's 200 free. I thought her 200 fly was really wonderful," Richardson said. "That's the fastest 200 fly she's ever swam in season.

"I think that Bendel's time of 2:00.85 made it into the NCAAs last year, so I think that was a very good swim."

Senior Kim Johnson kept pace with Bendel, taking the top position in both the 50 and 100 free. She swam the anchor of the winning 800-free relay team as well.

Another Wolverine to chalk up a victory was O'Neill, whose winning time of 17:07.41 in the mile was her fastest ever. Senior Rachel Gustin was also impressive in taking the 200 breast.

"Johnson swam a very fast 50 and 100 free," Richardson said. "I thought Gustin's 200 breaststroke was very impressive as well."

Michigan also benefitted from victories by freshman Kasey Harris in the 400 individual medley, freshman Stephanie Armstrong in the 200 backstroke and senior Linda Riker in the 500 free. Freshman Amanda Crews also earned a victory in the one-meter diving competition.

The Wolverines have a couple of weeks off after this meet. Michigan doesn't swim until dual meets with Indiana and Notre Dame the weekend of Jan. 30.

The time off will be welcome for the Wolverines, as the heavy training of the last two months has many swimmers worn out.

"We have some people who are really tired and who need some rest," Richardson said. "Some people aren't as tired as others, while some need to go home and take a nap."

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