After facing off against four top-25 teams in two weeks, IU swimming and diving took on Michigan State this weekend in its first Big Ten matchup of the season.
Even with swimmers in events outside their comfort zone, both Hoosier teams defeated the Spartans. The No. 1 men’s team emerged victorious 169-119, and the No. 12 women’s team won 172-155.
The Hoosiers won 28 of 32 events Saturday. The men’s record improved to 7-0, and the women improved to 5-2.
“It’s exciting to have our first Big Ten meet of the season,” IU Coach Ray Looze said. “I thought we did a really good job across the board with having to overcome some injury and illness this week. We got to work on some things today that will be critical at the end of the season.”
Senior Gia Dalesandro said the team’s performance speaks to its confidence and depth in every event.
Dalesandro showcased what depth she brings to the team. She typically swims butterfly, but when her name was called to fill in and swim freestyle, her performance did not falter.
She led the IU women in the 200 freestyle, which she won with a time of of 1:51.69. In the women’s 100 freestyle, Dalesandro notched her first individual win of the day with a time of 51.53.
“The day before the meet our coach said to us, ‘Even if you’re not swimming what you think you’re the best at, excellence is expected,’” Dalesandro said. “I think people really stepped up and got the job done, even swimming events they might not have had much confidence in. People excelled.”
Sophomore Christine Jensen also stepped up for the 100 and 200 breaststroke despite usually swimming fly and the individual medley.
Jensen notched her first win of the afternoon in the women’s 100 butterfly with a time of 55.37. Junior Oliver Patrouch earned the victory with his time of 49.75 for the men’s team in that event.
In the women’s 200 breaststroke, Jensen placed second with a time of 1:05.39 while freshman Wyeth Brock also took second for the men with a time of 56.78.
The diving team separated itself from Michigan State as the top three women’s divers and top four men’s divers earned NCAA qualifying marks in both the 1-meter and 3-meter dive.
Senior Michael Hixon led the charge on the men’s side placing first in the 1-meter dive with a score of 401.70 and the 3-meter at 464.03.
Hixon said he thought the swimmers had some fun trying out different events, but the divers will use this as another stepping stone to move them in the right direction as the season progresses.
The Hoosiers will face off against Cincinnati in a dual meet next Friday at the Counsliman Billingsley Aquatic Center. In addition to that, 14 IU swimmers will compete at the USA College Challenge-Big Ten vs USA Swimming on Saturday and Sunday at IUPUI.
