Marshall Swimming and Diving Falls at West Virginia

The West Virginia University women's swimming and diving team kicked off the 2009-10 dual meet slate on a positive note, knocking off the Marshall Thundering Herd, 126-105, Oct. 17, at the WVU Natatorium.

“WVU was everything we expected them to be,” Marshall head coach Leonard Kraus said. “It was a great opportunity for us to come here. We had some girls step up and improve, but we’re still a work in progress.”

The WVU women took first place in every event with the exception of the 3-meter dive and had eight different women place first. Senior Kayla Andrews and freshman Rachael Burnett each had two wins a piece with Andrews taking the 50 free (23.53) and 100 free (51.02) and Burnett winning the 200 free (1:52.38) and 500 free (5:01.27).

Senior Morgan Callaway, the 2009 BIG EAST Most Outstanding Swimmer, placed first in the 200 back (2:09.28) and second in the 200 free (1:53.33).

A freshman contingent of Kata Fodor, Breanna McCann, Amanda Nugent and Robyn Matthews all took first place in the 1000 free, 200 IM, 200 fly and 200 breast, respectively.

In diving, senior Ashley Malik finished first in the 1-meter dive (280.75). That score qualifies Malik for the BIG EAST Championships and the NCAA Zone Diving Championships, along with being a new school and pool record.

After West Virginia took a big lead in the first 11 events, the rest of the meet was competed in exhibition mode.

Highlights for the Herd came in first-place finishes by Rachel Hannum in the 3-meter diving (241.65) and Jenny Johnsson in the 500-yard freestyle (5:20.33). MU also placed Liz Greenway in second (5:27.51) and Jessica Sweeney in third (5:41.02) in the 500 free.  

“Rachel Hannum won the 3-meter diving and in 1-meter we got the sweep,” said Kraus. “Maribeth got her first collegiate win with that first-place finish. I’m really proud how we have worked hard to put up a fight today.”

“We’re building into the season and seeing what we can do,” Kraus said.

MU will return to action on Oct. 24 at 1 p.m., when it travels to Greenville, N.C., where it will face Campbell, Towson and Conference USA foe East Carolina.
West Virginia returns to the pool Saturday, Oct. 24, when they travel to State College, Pa., to take on Penn State. The women will also swim against Colgate.