Michigan State overtook Toledo this weekend, 180.5-118.5. The Spartans’ junior diver Madeline Sewell put on a stellar performance, sweeping the diving events.
Michigan State:
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State’s women’s swimming & diving team won its second dual of the young season, 181.5-118.5, at Toledo on Friday at the UT Student Rec Center. The Spartans won 11 of 16 events, led by junior Madeline Sewellsweeping the boards.
“I thought we swam very well,” said head coach Matt Gianiodis. “I am very happy with how we performed tonight. It was a solid effort all around. Maddie (Madison) Nowak turned in several strong performances, and Lizzie (Elizabeth) Brown was solid and consistent as always.”
Sewell, the Big Ten’s Diver of the Week on Oct. 28, took first in both the 1-meter and 3-meter events. Already having posted NCAA qualifying marks, she recorded scores of 301.50 and 290.55, respectively. Freshman Julia Oppedisano took second in both disciplines, tallying 282.68 in the 1-meter and 246.75 on the 3-meter board.
“Maddie (Sewell) was incredible on the boards for us,” Gianiodis said. “She had one of the better meets of her career.”
In the pool, sophomore Madison Nowak dominated the backstroke events, taking first in both the 100 and 200 distances. In the 100, Nowak led a slew of Spartans with a 56.92. She followed the performance with a 2:05.87 to win the 200-yard back. Senior Nicole Huffman and freshman Cathryn Armstrong went two-three with a 2:07.72 and 2:08.65, respectively.
Senior Lizzie Brown tapped the wall first in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:04.74 to win her first of two events. Brown closed her meet with a first-place, 2:09.2,1 in the 200-yard IM.
“We had some great races, and I feel really good about where we are at heading into the Northwestern Invite,” said Gianiodis. “I feel good about our lineup. The upperclassmen are leading, and the team worked hard this week and it showed in the pool.”
MSU returns to the Charles McCaffree Pool in East Lansing on Nov. 13 against Cincinnati and Bowling Green. Action is slated to begin at 5 p.m.
Toledo:
TOLEDO, OH – The Toledo women’s swimming and diving team fell 118.5-181.5 to Michigan State on Friday evening at UT’s Student Rec Center.
“I thought we raced really well tonight,” head coach Chris Peters said. “It’s still early in the season and we have room to improve. That said, I am very proud of how many events we won tonight against a Big 10 team.”
The Rockets recorded five wins and 17 top-three finishes in the dual meet.
Senior Brooke Edwards kicked off the wins for the Midnight Blue and Gold, scoring a avictory in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:54.37. Senior Lauren Comer touched third with a time of 1:55.78.
Fellow senior Sammy Richart won the next victory in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:03.60. It was her third-consecutive meet with a win in this event.
Edwards added a second win later in the meet, swimming a 52.14 in the 100-yard freestyle. Junior Bailey Marshal touched second with a time of 53.29.
Sophomore Jessica Avery recorded a win in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:21.60), while Comer tallied the final win of the day for Toledo in the 500-yard freestyle (5:05.75).
The Rockets are back in action this afternoon, Saturday, Nov. 7 with a 1:00 p.m. dual meet against Duquesne in the Student Rec Center.
Swimming news courtesy of Toledo and Michigan State Swimming & Diving.