St. Peter, Minn. – Breaking a Gustavus swimming record is one thing, but breaking one in early December – that’s called making a statement. Junior swimmer Alissa Tinklenberg (Willmar, Minn.) not only did the aforementioned, but she did it twice over the weekend at the Jean Freeman Invitational held at the Aquatic Center on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College. For her performance, Tinklenberg was named the MIAC Women s Swimming and Diving Athlete-of-the-Week.
On the opening day of the meet, Tinklenberg bested the Gustavus record in the 200 individual medley with a second place finish in the 200 IM after touching the wall in 2:08.85. The previous record-holder in the 200 IM was Carley Mosher who swam a 2:09.48 in 2010. On Saturday another record fell, this time the 400 individual medley. With a third place finish behind a pair of Gopher swimmers, Tinklenberg shattered the previous school record when she registered a time of 4:32.23, topping Marnie Luke’s 2011 mark of 4:37.25 by more than five seconds.
Although her record-breaking swims came in races she didn’t win, Tinklenberg would not be denied the top spot on the podium in her other races. In fact, she swam to first place finishes in the 100 freestyle (5:00.90), the 100 backstroke (57.27), and the 200-yard backstroke (2:02.64). She also added a second place finish in the 100 free (52.42). With the above marks, Tinklenberg posted a total of six top three finishes on the weekend.
In the relay events, last year’s Gustavus Female Athlete of the Year did just as much damage. She helped the Gusties win the 200-free relay (1:37.06), the 400-medley relay (4:00.68), and the 400-free relay (3:36.68). “Tink” was also a member of the second place 800-free relay (7:55.99) and the third place 200-medley relay (1:47.16).
Following her standout weekend, Tinklenberg currently holds the top time in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in seven different individual races including the 50, 100, and 500 free, 100 and 200 back, and 200 and 400 IM. She also ranks second in the 200 free.
The Gustavus swimming and diving team concluded its 2012 schedule at the Jean Freeman and will not compete until January of 2013. The Gusties will be back in the pool on Jan. 11 when they travel to Northfield, Minn. to take on Carleton in a dual beginning at 5:00 p.m.