The Gustavus women’s swimmig and diving team is set to compete at the 2009-10 MIAC Championships held on Feb. 18-20, in the Aquatic Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The Gusties finished second last season and will look to challenge Carleton for the conference crown. Preliminaries will begin on Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Gustavus MIAC Championship Preview
The Gustavus women’s swimming and diving team will look to dethrone last year’s MIAC Champions, Carleton, and win its third conference title in the last four years at the MIAC Championships held this weekend at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. Head Coach Jon Carlson feels that Carleton is the clear favorite, but St. Olaf, St. Thomas, and Gustavus will make the race for the championship a close one. With a weekend off before the conference meet, the Gustavus women’s team is relaxed and well rested, a good sign according to Coach Carlson.
In order to compete for the title this season, Gustavus’s top swimmers will need to perform at their peak, but it will be the second group of swimmers who may be the deciding factor. Senior Carrie Gundersen (Minnetonka, Minn.), the two-time defending champion in the 500 freestyle, and last season’s winner of the 1650 freestyle will look to lead the Gusties once again. Gundersen currently holds the top time in the MIAC in both the 500 freestyle (5:08.45), and 1650 freestyle (17:48.65), while ranking second in the 200 freestyle (1:57.44).
Gustavus first year swimmer Carley Mosher (Great Falls, Mont.) who has performed very well in her first year of collegiate competition will look to make a splash at the conference meet. Mosher currently has the fastest MIAC time in the 200 backstroke (2:09.15), 100 butterfly (1:00.30), and 200 IM (2:12.70). Joining Gundersen and Mosher at the top of the Gustavus lineup is senior Maggie Hansvick (Litchfield, Minn). Hansvick is ranked third in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke with times of 1:08.94 and 2:30.25, respectively.
Junior Anika Erickson (Milaca, Minn.), who won the 200 breaststroke while taking second in the 100 breaststroke at the MIAC Championships last season, will add depth in the breaststroke events once again. First year Sara Hund (Willmar, Minn.) looks to score in 50 and 100 freestyle races, as she currently holds the second fastest time in the 50 freestyle (24.71). Other Gusties looking to have an impact are sophomore Stephanie Korba (Lakeville, Minn.), sophomore Dajana Vidovic (Coleraine, Minn.), junior Marnie Luke (Stillwater, Minn.), first year Tori Hubbard (Stacy, Minn.), and senior Brittani Matzke (Buffalo, Minn.). Korba in the 100 and 200 butterfly, Vidovic in the 50 and 100 freestyle, and Luke in the 100 and 200 butterfly and 400 IM. Hubbard and Matzke are the top Gustavus divers entering the meet.
Gustavus enters the conference championships as the team to beat in the relay events. Gustavus currently has the top times in the 200 freestyle relay (1:39.55), the 200 medley relay (1:50.46), the 400 freestyle relay (3:38.88), the 400 medley relay (4:05.44), and the 800 freestyle relay (8:05.23).