Northwestern University Athletics
Women's Swimming Has Three Compete at U.S. Open
12/6/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Dec. 6, 1999
EVANSTON, Ill. - Senior Courtney Allen finished eighth in the 50-meter freestyle at the U.S. Open, highlighting the participation of three Northwestern athletes at the top-flight international swimming event held in San Antonio over the weekend.
Allen, who finished runner-up at the NCAA meet in the 50 free last year, covered the long-course metered event in 26.63 in the prelims to gain a spot in the final, then clocked 26.53 to finish eighth overall. The 50 free was won by 32-year-old Dara Torres in a meet record 25.52 seconds, with Jenny Thompson nipping at her heels in 25.97 seconds.
Allen also competed in the 100-meter free, but after placing 24th in the prelims she was scratched from the finals due to injury.
Amy Balcerzak competed in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke events, placing 41st out of 110 swimmers in the 100 (1:14.66) and 60th out of 99 in the 200 (2:44.77).
Dominique Diezi participated in four events during the weekend. She was 48th out of 141 in the 50-meter freestyle (27.26), 65th of 95 in the 100-meter backstroke (1:08.39), 69th of 165 in the 100-meter freestyle (59.66) and 169th out of 178 in the 200-meter freestyle (2:14.00).
The 11th-ranked Northwestern women's team is off until January 15, when the Wildcats host Auburn and Tennessee in Evanston.
