Nov. 29, 2012

The University of Minnesota women’s swimming and diving team will host the Jean Freeman Invite this weekend at the University Aquatic Center. The meet will kick off Friday night at 6pm and continue Saturday at 11am and 6pm.

Jean Freeman is a former, legendary women’s swimming and diving coach for the Gophers and a member of the University of Minnesota Aquatic Hall of Fame. Freeman was the first Division 1 coach at Minnesota and stuck around for 31 years before retiring as the women’s coach in 2004. 

A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Freeman was a member of the swimming and diving team from 1968-72. She served as a Golden Gopher assistant coach for one season before being named head coach in 1973. During her career, Freeman led Minnesota to back-to-back Big Ten Championships in 1999 and 2000 and was named Big Ten Coach of the Year four times. She also coached 58 swimmers to All-America status 203 times and posted winning records in 20 consecutive season.

Jean Freeman passed away on October 14, 2010 after following an ongoing, but positively fought battle with cancer. The Gophers will honor her outstanding accomplishments at the University of Minnesota this weekend.

The No. 8 ranked Gophers will look to have another successful weekend, adding to their strong start to the season. The women have marked a record of 5-0, including taking down three Big Ten foes, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa. They also put on a strong showing at the Minnesota Grand Prix, competing against the best swimmers in the nation.

Teams that will be competing this weekend are as followed.

Minnesota
Oshkosh
River Falls
St. Johns/St. Bens
Gustavus
South Dakota Sate
Carleton (Fri. night only)