Junior class standouts lead the way for No. 13 IU

The success of the No. 13 ranked Hoosier IU women's swim team has been the result of off-season improvement and consistency from experienced swimmers. Leading the charge for the team has been the performance of standout juniors Meghan Medendorp and Brooke Taflinger. \nConsidered one of the nation's most improved swimmers in her sophomore season, Medendorp is among the top sprinters in the Big Ten. After finishing third in the 100 free at the 2002 Big Ten Conference Meet, Medendorp holds the second fastest time in the 50 free in school history.\n"Meghan was our most improved swimmer last year," coach Dorsey Tierney said in a statement.\nHer performance against Northwestern on Nov. 9 led to her selection as Big Ten swimmer of the week. Against the Wildcats, Medendorp won the 50 free, the 100 free and was part of both the 200 free and 200 winning medley relays. In the 50 and 100 freestyle events, the Wisconsin native swam the season's best times. Her 50 free time ranks 32nd in the nation, while her 100 free time ranks 24th. Medendorp continued her season with strong showings at the Indiana Invitational and U.S. Open. While in Minneapolis, she placed 15th overall in the 50-meter freestyle and recorded a season best time in the event.\nClassmate Brooke Taflinger has also put up impressive numbers in her second season as a Hoosier. Taflinger, who transferred to IU after her freshman season as a Florida Gator, currently owns school records in both the 200-yard breaststroke and the 400-yard IM.\n"Brooke had a great year last year, but an even better summer," Tierney said. "She went to the U.S. Nationals and swam extremely well in the 400-meter IM."\nAt the U.S. Open on Dec. 7, Taflinger finished third in the 400 IM with a time of 4:53.71, which was good enough for an Olympic Trial cut time as well as an NCAA cut time.\n"Swimming in the U.S. Nationals this summer helped out a lot," Taflinger said. "There was a lot of hard training, but it is all paying off now."\nThe Kokomo, Ind. native showed her improvement in a fantastic performance in the 400 IM at the Indiana Invitational. Her time was a season best, also ranking among the top ten times nationally this season.\n"If she can continue that production, she will be a force nationally in 400 IM and possibly in the 200 IM," Tierney said.