Northwestern Concludes Historic Showing at Big Ten Championships

Tuesday, February 23

Minneapolis, Minn.

Northwestern

Big Ten Swimming Championships

Northwestern Concludes Historic Showing at Big Ten Championships

2/27/2021 9:02:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Northwestern women's swimming and diving placed fourth at the 2021 Big Ten Championships with a program-record 992 points after competition concluded Saturday night. The 'Cats blasted past their previous record of 907.5 points in the conference championships set just a year ago when they also finished fourth. The past two seasons have been among the most dominant in Northwestern history with the next closest point total of 628 coming in 1993.

Maddie Smith continued her tear through the competition after placing second in the 100 free in a school-record time of 47.98. In all, Smith broke three individual school records over the five-day competition, putting her name at the top of the 50 free, 100 free and 100 fly.

Northwestern's 400 free relay team also finished in school-record time Saturday, taking third in 3:14.35. The team comprised of Selen Ozbilen, Smith, Annika Wagner and Ally Larson proved to be a deadly combination for the 'Cats, securing an NCAA 'A' Cut time in the event as well. The 'Cats also set school records in the 200 medley and 800 free relays in previous days of the Big Ten Championships.

Including Smith and the 400 free relay team, Northwestern found the podium five times on the final day of competition. Lola Mull took bronze for Northwestern in the 1650 free with an NCAA 'B' Cut time of 16:08.33, Emma Lepisova took bronze in the 200 back with an NCAA 'B' Cut time of 1:53.62 and Hannah Brunzell took bronze in the 200 breast with an NCAA 'B' Cut time of 2:08.07.

Northwestern shined in the 200 breast, sending four swimmers to the finals including Brunzell. Sophie Angus placed fifth, followed by Becky Kamau at eighth and Tara Vovk at 13th. In addition to Smith, Ozbilen also made her way through to the 100 free finals, finishing eighth. Seventeen different swimmers competed in individual events for Chicago's Big Ten on Saturday.

Women's diving events also concluded Saturday in West Lafayette with the one-meter springboard. Six Wildcats competed in the prelims and Markie Hopkins and Jaye Patrick went through to the finals. Hopkins placed 10th and Patrick placed 12th.

DAY 1 RECAP

DAY 2 RECAP

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DAY 4 RECAP