Team reaches 14th at NCAAs

Sophomore Christina Loukas, two-time Big Ten Diver of the Year and of the NCAA Championships, tied former IU standout Sara Reiling for the best all-around finish at an NCAA competition as the IU women's swimming and diving team culminated its season with a 14th-place finish at the 2006 NCAA Championships in Athens, Ga. Saturday. \nThe Hoosiers scored 91 points overall at the championships while Auburn University took home the national championship, defeating the University of Georgia in the second-closest finish in NCAA history. \n"I was pleased," said IU coach Ray Looze. "It was nice to see the girls become All-Americans. It's what I expected."\nIn her 2002 standout performance, Reiling finished third on the one-meter, second on the three-meter and eighth on the platform. Loukas nearly rivaled Reiling's performance in the 2006 championships, as she placed fifth on the one-meter, second on the three-meter and sixth on the tower with a 290.10 total. \nShe also became the first three-time championship finalist for IU since Reiling accomplished the same feat in 2002. \n"I've always seen (Reiling) as one of the best divers ever," Loukas said. "To know I did as well as her tells me I'm on the right track."\nLoukas got the Hoosiers off to a good start on the first day of competition as she recorded a 312.10 -- a mark just shy of Reiling's school and NCAA record of 320.15 set at the 2002 national championships.\nOn the second day of competition, Loukas continued her success as she nearly shocked the 1,121 fans at the Gabrielsen Natatorium by recording a school-record 371.40 on the three-meter event to finish just shy of Olympic bronze medalist Blythe Hartley (373.15) of the University of Southern California. Loukas' total of 371.40 not only earned her second place in the event, but it also surpassed the six-dive, three-meter school standard previously held by junior Lindsay Weigle with 357.75 set against UCLA on Jan. 13.\n"When I was competing, I had no idea I was close to her," Loukas said. "I gave her a run for her money and it motivates me and shows that I can compete with the best."\nIn the swimming portion of the NCAA Championships, freshman Allison Kay provided a bright spot for the Hoosiers as she improved to third all-time in school history in the 400-yard IM consolation heat with a 10th-place time of 4:16.18. Kay not only garnered an All-American certificate through her effort in the 400-yard IM, but her performance now resides as the best finish for a Hoosier in the event.\n"She didn't even swim the event at the Big Tens," Looze said. "It was one of the best swims we had at the meet."\nMeanwhile, Weigle, who garnered four total All-American certificates, capped off her season on the final day with a third-place total of 317.05 on the tower, and senior Heather Chapman earned her initial All-American certificate with a 12th-place 243.75 on the tower. \n"The girls showed moments of pizzazz," said IU diving coach Dr. Jeff Huber. "It's a compliment to the women. They fought tooth and nail." \nLooze said he thought his team's 14th-place showing at the championships proved a lot to the rest of the country.\n"We are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future," Looze said. "We have the potential to be a top 10 team." \nThe Hoosiers' coach cited a good recruiting class and a good returning nucleus as evidence that his team has a chance to do something special.\n"Preparation is the name of the game," Looze said. "It will take some time, but we are well on the track to doing that"