Dec. 7, 2008
Final Stats
AKRON, Ohio -
Senior Allison Fishbein and sophomore Amy Schaefer led the Illinois State swimming and diving team with three top-eight performances as the Redbirds finished the Zippy Invitational in second place after three days of intense competition in Akron, Ohio this past weekend. The competition featured 13 women's swimming and diving teams and ended with the `Birds taking second place with a score of 1233.5, falling only behind Ohio (1517.5)
After finishing the first two days of competition in third place head swimming and diving coach Steve Paska feels gaining the second-place spot was a terrific way to end the weekend.
"Tonight was a climatic way to end the meet," said Paska. "The team had a solid preliminary session, they met objectives, and they were able to really race tonight. The girls deserve a lot credit, they did a lot of hard work, and it was a lot of fun watching the team compete tonight."
Leading the Redbirds in the water was Fishbein who shattered three personal-best records and finished the weekend with three top-eight performances for the `Birds. Swimming the 200-yard breaststroke event, Fishbein recorded a third-place finish and personal-best time as she touched the wall with a time of 2:22.96. This performance follows her weekend's early successes as she recorded personal-best performances in the 200-yard individual medley (IM) event and the 100-yard breaststroke event finishing fifth and sixth, respectively.
"Allison's performance in the 200-yard breaststroke was a great way for her to end the meet," said Paska. "She achieved multiple personal-best times, she's had a great fall semester, and she really shined this weekend."
Schaefer was also a top performer for Illinois State as she led the Redbirds in the 200-yard butterfly event with a second-place finish. Recording a season-best time, Schaefer finished the event with a time of 2:06.66. Schaefer also recorded a season-best performance and eighth-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly event, before going on to record a personal-best time and seventh-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle event over the weekend.
"Amy had a tremendous weekend," said Paska. "She played a significant role in the relays, and she placed in the top-eight of all of her events. She just performed outstanding for us this weekend."
Sophomore Lauren Terzis added to the success of the `Birds as she placed fourth in the 1650-freestyle event with a time of 17:28.08. Sophomore Ashley Bachler went on to swim the 1650-freestyle event recording a personal-best time and seventh-place finish with a time of 17:42.78. Freshman Michele Stoeppelman finished 10th in the 1650-freestyle event with a season-best time of 17:47.89.
Sophomore Molly Gomberg led the team in the 200-yard breaststroke event, as she ended the race with fifth-place finish and personal-best time of 2:07.35. Freshman Jillian Olson finished 14th in the 200-yard breaststroke event as touched the wall with a season-best time of 2:10.54.
The 100-yard freestyle event was led by Terzis who recorded a season-best time of 53.61 in the preliminary round before going on to place 15th in final-round action with a time of 54.03. Recording a personal-best time of 53.74 during the preliminary round, senior Jessica Santi placed 16th with a time of 54.10 in finals.
"One person who has been a joy to coach for the past four years is Jessi," said Paska. "She has a tremendous attitude, and she is a diligent student-athlete. All of the hard work and determination this girl has put forward over the past years came out this weekend. She had a great meet. I am extremely proud of what Jessi has done during her years as a Redbird. She was just a joy to watch this weekend."
The 200-yard breaststroke proved to be a success for the Redbirds, as juniors Lindsay Dinkelman and Caitlin Falconer each joined Fishbein with personal-best times in the event. Dinkelman swam the event achieving a fifth-place time of 2:27.28, while Falconer finished the event with a 10th-place time of 2:27.94.
Freshmem Sarah Coghlin and Amber Siggins had a successful night of swimming, as each recorded a personal-best time in the 200-yard butterfly event. Coghlin took eighth in the event with a time of 2:09.41, as Siggins finished with a 10th-place time of 2:08.61.
The evening concluded with the 400-yard freestyle relay, consisting of Santi, Terzis, Schaefer and freshman Lauren Boyd. The `Birds placed ninth in the event, recording a season-best time of 3:36.82. The Illinois State B Relay Team consisted of freshmen Jessica McGee, Coghlin, Stoeppelman and Bachler, who finished the event with a season-best time of 3:38.87, taking 15th.
"This weekend's success can be attributed to the effort of the entire team," said Paska. "Throughout the entire weekend we had a lot of people score points for us. That was one reason why we were successful. Taking second this weekend is a great way to culminate the fall semester."
The Redbirds will take three weeks off from competition before traveling to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. to compete in the Ed Kennedy Meet on Dec. 31, 2008.
