Dec. 3, 2006
AKRON, Ohio -
After three longs day of competition the Illinois State swimming and diving team closed out the weekend in fourth place with and overall score of 1,005.5 points. The SummaCare Invitational was held in Akron, Ohio.
The University of Akron took home first pace with 1,235 points, followed by Ohio (1,168.5), and UC Davis (1,069). Trailing the `Bird (1,005.5) who placed in fourth was Clarion (987), Duquesne (963), Buffalo (933), Xavier (731.5), Bloomsburg (416) and Shippensburg (375.5).
Despite not taking home the win as the `Birds did last year, head coach Steve Paska is still pleased with the team's performance and believes that the invitational brought great competition.
"This weekend Akron had a strong and exceptional performance," said Paska. This year there were three new teams which made the competition stronger than last year.
Paska knows the swimmers are happy with their performances and left the events with personal bests for the season and ready to compete again.
Leading the `Birds to a first place finish in the 100-yard freestyle was Kyle Pullman with a season best time of 52.14.
Other outstanding performances came during the 1650-yard freestyle. Christine Steinbach placed fifth (17:43.49). Jamie Haseman placed ninth (17:57.36) and Amy Werkema placed eleventh (18:02.52) with a personal best times.
Also breaking a personal best time was the 400-yard freestyle relay team. Katie Borkovec, Valerie Zaleski, Becky Layman and Pullman received fifth place with a 3:33.75.
The `Birds will return to Illinois State and will continue to train for their next big event at the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championships that will be held Feb. 8-10. The swimming and diving team is scheduled to take to the water again Jan. 6 at the Florida Atlantic Invitational.
