Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Tennessee
Wildcats Dominate Tennessee, 204.5-147.5
1/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Jan. 18, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Putting forth perhaps its most complete performance of the season, the Northwestern women's swimming and diving team posted a dominating 204.5-147.5 victory over Tennessee Saturday at the Norris Aquatics Center.
The victory improves the Wildcats' dual meet record to 6-3 overall while holding at 1-3 in the Big Ten. The Lady Vols fall to 4-2, while maintaining a 3-0 mark in the SEC. UT entered the meet having earned votes in the most recent CSCAA Top 25 Dual Meet Poll.
NU earned first-place finishes in 14 of 19 events, with season-best times being posted by the winners in eight of the events. Paige Nath (Wichita, Kan./Trinity Academy) led the way for the 'Cats, recording her top times of the season in winning the 100 freestyle (52.18) and the 100 breaststroke (1:05.20). She was also a member of all four winning relay teams.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 98.5-68.5 lead after the morning session, capturing first-place finishes in seven of nine events, including recording five season-best efforts.
NU took titles in both of the relay events, winning the 400 medley (3:50.70) and the 200 freestyle (1:35.12) in the team's fastest finishes of the season.
Northwestern also got personal season-best times out of Vicky West (Redlands, Calif./Redlands) in the 500 free (4:59.23), Erin Swenson (Florrisant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) in the 400 IM (4:26.25) and Nath in the 100 free.
Katie Simmons (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) added a top finish in the 200 breaststroke (2:20.88) and Carmen Cosgrove (Perth, Australia) won the 100 butterfly (56.36).
The Wildcats were able to withstand an early comeback attempt by Tennessee in the evening session, eventually pulling away for the easy victory.
After winning the 200 medley relay (1:45.15) to open the session, Northwestern watched as the Lady Vols won the next three events. However, NU responded by taking titles in the final six races.
Nath won the 100 breast, followed by victories by Sara Petric (Mequon, Wis./Homestead) in the 50 free and Katie Paglini (Chicago, Ill./Latin School) in the 100 back (56.88).
West trimmed nearly 28 seconds off her top time of the season in the 1650 free by winning the event in 16:52.15. Rachel Johnson (Champaign, Ill./Centennial) added a first in the 200 IM (2:07.44) before NU wrapped up the meet with a victory in the 400 free relay (3:29.07).
Northwestern returns to action at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 when it hosts Michigan in a Big Ten dual at the Norris Aquatics Center.
Players Mentioned
