Gopher Women's Swimming Team Swim Well in First Day of Minnesota Challenge - GOPHERSPORTS.COM - The Official Athletic Site of the Minnesota Gophers

Gopher Women's Swimming Team Swim Well in First Day of Minnesota Challenge
The No. 24 University of Minnesota women's swim team hosted the Minnesota Challenge at the University Aquatic Center tonight on the Golden Gopher campus. No team scores were kept, but teams from St.

JThe No. 24 University of Minnesota women's swim team hosted the Minnesota Challenge at the University Aquatic Center tonight on the Golden Gopher campus. No team scores were kept, but teams from St. John's and South Dakota State swam in the event as well as unattached swimmers.

The Maroon and Gold started the night with the top three finishes in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Minnesota took the top three spots. The Gophers' winning relay of Lindsay Somrock, Lauren Guzauskas, Heather Harris and Caroline Schik combined for a time of 1:38.49. The Minnesota 'B' Team of Melissa Schold, Erika Bjorklund, Mary Patrek and Megan Moore finished second in 1:39.57. The Gopher 'D' relay of Amy Cahoy, Megan Peters, Colleen Morgan and Sara Vine finished third with a time of 1:39.98.

Jennifer led the Gophers in the 500 free race when she finshed with a time of 5:04.53. Lindsay Marko clocked a lifetime best of 5:06.09 finishing second overall. Sarah Perrott rounded out the top three finishing in 5:14.93. Also finishing in a lifetime best was Cecile Lamour in 5:20.80, respectively.

Guzauskas won the 200 individual medley when she finished with a lifetime best in 2:06.40. Juleen Rodakowski added a second-place finish in the same event (2:07.64), while Moore finished third (2:07.73). Lindsey St. Martin won her heat in a lifetime best time of 2:09.31, placing fourth overall.

Katy Coombe won the 50 free in a time of 23.80, while Jennifer Hasling clocked a time of 24.17, good enough for second place out of 45 participants. Sara Vine placed third in 24.31.

The Gophers concluded the night with the top two spots in the 400 medley relay. St. Martin gained another lifetime best when she swam the first leg of the winning relay. Katie Proell, Kate Hardt and Abby Ruess swam the other four legs, earning a time of 4:01.28. Minnesota's Julia Quinn, Schold, Thea Fleming and Jessica Crawford took second with a time of 4:03.91.

Saturday's action begins at noon, along with diving action. The Golden Gophers will recognize their senior class tomorrow night, starting at 5:45 p.m. Minnesota will introduce Sarah Bohlsen, Crawford, Carol Crouthamel, Guzaukas, Shannon Jackson, Marko, Moore, Rodakowski and Schold.