The 2014 Big Ten Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships hosted by the University of Minnesota will be held Wednesday, Feb. 19 through Saturday, Feb. 22 at the University Aquatic Center. The event begins with the timed finals of the 200-yard medley relay and 800-yard freestyle relay at 6:30 p.m. CT. Preliminary heats will begin at 11 a.m. on all three days, with the finals scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. each night.
Thursday’s slate features the 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard individual medley, 50-yard freestyle and one-meter diving competition, with the 200-yard freestyle relay taking place that evening. Friday’s schedule includes the 400-yard individual medley, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke, 100-yard backstroke and three-meter diving event, with the 400-yard medley relay contested during the finals. Saturday’s events include the 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard freestyle, 200-yard butterfly, 1,650-yard freestyle and platform diving, with the 400-yard freestyle relay finals taking place that evening.
Minnesota won its second consecutive Big Ten Championship last season, amassing 831.5 points throughout the four-day event. Indiana finished second with 671.5 points, Penn State placed third with 498.5 points, Ohio State was fourth with 384 points and Purdue rounded out the top five with 363 points.
The Golden Gophers return seven first-team All-Big Ten selections, including last year’s Diver of the Championships, Maggie Keefer, who compiled 392.25 points in the three-meter competition and 351.45 points in the one-meter diving event.
The Hoosiers return Lindsay Vrooman, who set two individual meet records in the 500-yard and 1,650-yard freestyle and was tabbed the Swimmer of the Championships at last year’s event. Teammate Brooklynn Snodgrass, who was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season, looks to defend her title in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke events.
Penn State’s Alyson Ackman will look to duplicate her event title in the 200-yard freestyle, while Wisconsin’s Ivy Martin will look to break her own meet record in the 50-yard freestyle.
Last year’s relays were led by Minnesota, as the Gophers claimed the 200 and 400-yard medley relays and 200 and 400-yard freestyle relays. Indiana took home the 800-yard freestyle relay.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Wednesday, Feb. 19
Day One Finals: 6:30 p.m.
200-yard Medley Relay
3M Synchronized Diving (Exhibition)
800-yard Freestyle Relay
Thursday, Feb. 20
Day Two Prelims: 11 a.m.
500-yard Freestyle
200-yard Individual Medley
50-yard Freestyle
1M Diving (Prelims & Consolation Finals, 1 p.m.)
Day Two Finals: 6:30 p.m.
200-yard Freestyle Relay
500-yard Freestyle
200-yard Individual Medley
50-yard Freestyle
1M Diving
Friday, Feb. 21
Day Three Prelims: 11 a.m.
400-yard Individual Medley
100-yard Butterfly
200-yard Freestyle
100-yard Breaststroke
100-yard Backstroke
3M Diving (Prelims & Consolation Finals, 1 p.m.)
Day Three Finals: 6:30 p.m.
400-yard Medley Relay
400-yard Individual Medley
100-yard Butterfly
200-yard Freestyle
100-yard Breaststroke
100-yard Backstroke
3M Diving
Saturday, Feb. 22
Day Four Prelims: 11 a.m.
200-yard Backstroke
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Breaststroke
200-yard Freestyle
200-yard Butterfly
Platform Diving (Prelims & Consolation Finals, 1 p.m.)
1,650-yard Freestyle
Day Four Finals: 6:30 p.m.
1,650-yard Freestyle
200-yard Backstroke
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Breaststroke
200-yard Butterfly
Platform Diving
400-yard Freestyle Relay
TELEVISION COVERAGE
BTN will air the Big Ten Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
LIVE COVERAGE
Wednesday evening: BTDN
Thursday morning, afternoon diving: Gopher All-Access
Thursday evening: BTDN
Friday morning, afternoon diving: Gopher All-Access
Friday evening: BTDN
Saturday morning, afternoon diving: Gopher All-Access
Saturday evening: BTN2Go
