Picking up victories in both the 200-yard freestyle and 400-yard medley relays, the Indiana women's swimming and diving team jump out to a commanding lead on day one of the Irish Invitational in South Bend, Ind. Friday afternoon.

The Hoosiers racked up 379.5 points in the first of three sessions, followed by Michigan (293), Notre Dame (288.5) andIllinois (131).

"It is a little bit of a surprise to be up by that margin given that this is our weakest day," said IU distance coach Mike Westphal. "This is definitely a boost to the team's confidence heading into the Big Ten meet (in February). Michigan is a ranked team and if we can keep up with them here, we know we can race."

While depth put Indiana in the driver's seat.  Michigan displayed some star power with impressive individual victories.  Junior Emily Brunemann andand sophomore Margaret Kelly each earned individual victories in the pool

The Wolverines got their first victory of the day in the 500-yard freestyle following a runner-up finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Brunemann turned in an NCAA 'B' time of 4:47.67 to claim the top spot. Despite holding the lead throughout the race, Brunemann was constantly under pressure from two Hoosiers hot on her trail. While she was never able to truly shake the Indiana swimmers, Brunemann surged through the final 10 yards to touch the wall at the head of the pack.

Kelly cruised to victory in the 200-yard individual medley, touching the wall in 2:02.11, with her teammate Mueller coming in right behind with a time of 2:03.05. Both Wolverines clinched consideration times and the lion share of the points.

Depth was a difference maker for IU as the team picked up 70 points with first and third-place finishes in the 200-yardfree relay. The team of Kate Zubkova, Presley Bard, Brittany Epperson and Kelsey Atchison touched the wall in a time of 1:34.30. Kristin Cihoski, Sarah Stockwell, Abby Cooper and Amanda Smith placed fourth in 1:35.94.Indiana claimed six of the top-10 finishers in the 500-yard freestyle, led by Amanda Smith's season-best and NCAA B cut time of 4:47.67. Also hitting a B cut was third-place finisher Allison Kay (4:53.19), while Cassie Luhrsen just missed themark in fourth (4:55.58). Rounding out the top 10 were Amilee Smith (8th-4:59.18), Christie Fuchs (9th- 4:59.26) andAtchison (5:00.64).

"They came out really strong and swam aggressively," Westphal said. "Those are lifetime bests for both Amanda and Allison and it is a good way to start the meet."

The swimming events concluded with the 400-yard medley relay as Zubkova, Stockwell, Smailis and Bard teamed up fora winning time of 3:42.75, an NCAA B time. Indiana also fielded the third place team as Cihoski, Cooper, Kay and Amanda Smith finished in a time of 3:49.99.

 

"When coming off a training trip like we had, the girls are obviously very tired,"? assistant coach Joel White said. "?We?'ve been doing doubles everyday, lifting, dry land training ? they?'ve gotten to the point now where they can do anything we throw at them. They'?re dog-tired, but they?'re still being challenged to show up and swim fast. They did an awesome job of stepping up to the plate and doing what needed to be done.

"?We'?re in a close meet with Michigan after the first session and that helps,too. We?ll see a lot of good swims tomorrow because of that."

?The Notre Dame Invitational will wrap up tomorrow with two sessions at the Rolfs Aquatic Center. The first session is set to begin at 9 a.m. while the secondwill begin at 5 p.m. "When coming off a training trip like we had, the girls are obviously very ired,? assistant coach Joel White said. ?We?ve been doing doubles everyday, lifting, dry land training ? they?ve gotten to the point now where they can do

anything we throw at them. They?re dog-tired, but they?re still being

challenged to show up and swim fast. They did an awesome job of stepping up to

the plate and doing what needed to be done. 




?We?re in a close meet with Michigan after the first session and that helps,

too. We?ll see a lot of good swims tomorrow because of that.?



The Notre Dame Invitational will wrap up tomorrow with two sessions at the Rolfs

Aquatic Center. The first session is set to begin at 9 a.m. while the second

will begin at 5 p.m.