Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Prep for Big Ten Championships
2/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Feb. 18, 2003
Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships Home Page
EVANSTON, Ill. - Everything appears to be coming together at just the right time for the Northwestern women's swimming and diving team. After battling injuries all season long, the Wildcats closed out the dual meet season with victories in four of their final five meets. NU will aim for continued success as it heads to West Lafayette, Ind. this Wednesday through Saturday to compete in the Big Ten Championships.
"The first thing we'll try to do is focus on ourselves and swim the best meet of the year," Northwestern head coach Jimmy Tierney said. "We're looking for the best swims of the season, and for some people, the best of their careers."
Tierney saw a number of swimmers post season-best performances during the team's final dual meet of the season Feb. 1 against Ohio State. After nearly three weeks of rest, Tierney feels his team is in good position to challenge for a top-three finish.
"I think they're peaked and ready to go," Tierney said. "We expect to possibly see some school records."
Perhaps NU's best shot at an individual title will be from senior Carmen Cosgrove (Perth, Western Australia). An accomplished butterflier, Cosgrove broke the Norris Aquatics Center pool record in the 200 fly against Ohio State and ranks second in both the 100 and 200 fly entering the Championships.
Freshman Katie Paglini (Chicago, Ill./Latin School) has provided an immediate impact to the Northwestern lineup. She owns the Big Ten's third-fastest time in the 200 backstroke, ranks fourth in the 200 individual medley and seventh in the 100 fly and the 100 back.
Sophomore Brielle Bovee (Winter Park, Fla./Lake Highland Prep) battled a shoulder injury throughout the second half of the season, but remains undefeated in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke this season. Bovee ranks fifth in the 200 breast and seventh in the 100 among Big Ten swimmers.
With five Big Ten teams ranked in the top 25, this year's Championships appears to be up for grabs. No. 10 Wisconsin and No. 16 Indiana are expected to have the best chance to battle for the team title. A number of teams, including Penn State, Michigan, Purdue, Minnesota and Northwestern will battle for position in the upper half of the standings.
Action gets underway at 7 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday night at Purdue University with the 200 medley relay and 800 freestyle relay finals. Preliminary rounds Thursday through Saturday begin at 11 a.m. Eastern, followed by the finals at 7 p.m.
