Hoosiers win first ever Big Ten title

At last year's Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships, all that separated the Hoosiers from a Big Ten title was the loss of the last event in a disqualification. \nThis year, the IU women's swimming and diving team wrapped up a Big Ten Conference Championship before the last event was even held, beating Wisconsin and the rest of the Big Ten by 34 points. \nThe Hoosiers returned to Bloomington this weekend with their first team championship in school history and their best performance in the conference championship meet since 1981. That year, the Hoosiers won the title before the Big Ten recognized team champions.\nAfter one day at the championships, IU found themselves tied for fourth place. But, as the competition moved on, the Hoosiers got the chance to utilize their depth, and crept their way into the lead, passing top-ranked conference foes Purdue, Penn State and Wisconsin. \n"I'd say I'm most proud of this group's fortitude," coach Dorsey Tierney said. "This did not come easy and I'm sure that no championship does. Especially with the group that were here last year, and coming back this year, I have a group of eight seniors and that is so unusual to have girls go three or four years like that. The character they possess, especially as a group, is phenomenal."\nIt was the character of this group, along with the Hoosier depth and dominance of swimming events which powered IU to victory. A standout performance by junior Sarah Fiden gave IU an initial boost on their way to the top, as Fiden set a new school record in 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:45.36.\n"We're all pretty much in awe," Fiden said. "We knew we could do it, but we had to get over some obstacles as a team this weekend. It just shows how strong of a team we are."\nOn the last day of competition, the cream and crimson found themselves trailing by 44 points with only three events remaining. In the 200-yard butterfly, IU got a huge boost from its three finalists in the event, freshman Lauren Lubus and seniors Kristy Martin and Jenny Bechem. Lubus went on to swim a 1:58:11, which was .03 seconds shy of first place, but good for the freshman to set a school record in the event. Lubus' time was also good enough for a NCAA qualifying time. The performance by Lubus, Martin and Bechem, in addition to seniors Tina Gretlund and Maggie Helmers in the consolation finals, gave IU a 13 point lead.\n"It was a great finale to the end of my first Big Ten season," Lubus said. "Our team has worked so hard this year. For us to win a team championship is the perfect way to wrap up the season. It was a total team effort and everyone is so excited."\nBut it was the platform diving which distanced the Hoosiers to a point where they could not be caught. Standout seniors Sara Hildebrand and Lori Matthys, along with junior Cassandra Cardinell all placed in the top five on the platform, with Hildebrand winning first place and the Big Ten Championship. The championship on the platform event was her third individual championship of the weekend. Hildebrand also won Big Ten Championships in the one-meter and three-meter events, on her way to being named diver-of-the-championships and Big Ten Diver of the Year.\n"After the first day (on one-meter), I kind of had to pull myself back down," said Hildebrand. "After yesterday (on three-meter) I said, I've got one more day and by no means is this mine yet, and it went right to the end. I almost didn't have it. Every minute counts and every dive counts."\nIU showed the importance of team depth, winning only two events en route to the championship.\nThe team said they will take the time to celebrate and enjoy their accomplishment. But several IU swimmers and divers must regain their focus on training, as numerous Hoosiers have qualified to compete at the 2002 NCAA Championships, which will be held at the University of Auburn in Auburn, Ala., from March 20 to March 22. Last season, IU finished in 10th place in the NCAA nationals.