The defending Big Ten champion University of Minnesota women's swimming and diving team began the 2008-09 campaign with the annual Alumni Meet at University Aquatic Center this evening. Avery Michienzi, Maggie Thomas, Hannah Whitehead, Corina Hopkins-Vacca and Stacy Busack posted individual victories for the Gophers this evening.

In the 200 medley relay, Minnesota's E team of Castina Wabeke, Molly Belk, Danielle Ridder and Meredith McCarthy took first in a time of 1:45.64. In 1-meter diving, sophomore Maggie Thomas accumulated a score of 231.40 to take first place. Freshman Hannah Whitehead clocked a 59.03 to win the 100 backstroke.

In the 100 breaststroke, sophomore Avery Michienzi posted a winning time of 1:07.73 to touch out Corina Hopkins-Vacca by .15 seconds. In the 50 butterfly, alum Lindsey St. Martin picked up her first of two event victories with a time of 24.49. Sophomore Jillian Tyler led active Gophers in second with a time of 25.48.

Senior Meredith McCarthy paced the Gophers in the 50 freestyle with a time of 24.22 while Molly Belk was second in 24.36. Hopkins-Vacca was back in the pool to claim the win in the 100 freestyle with a time of 56.29, barely ahead of freshman Lissa Tommerdahl (56.32).

Former All-American Jenny Hasling touched first in the 50 backstroke, clocking a time of 25.66. Freshman Jenna Lennertz was the top active Gopher in second with a time of 27.14.

In the 50 breaststroke, Gopher alum Katie Wind was first in 28.91 and senior Stacy Busack bested an 18-swimmer field in the 25 freestyle with a time of 11.09.

In the final individual event, St. Martin claimed her second win of the night, finishing first in the 100 individual medley with a time of 48.14.

The Gophers begin the regular season next Friday, October 10, with a key Big Ten dual meet at Michigan. The Gophers then head to East Lansing to face Michigan State on Saturday afternoon.