Weekly Release #1
10/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Upcoming Schedule
Friday, Oct. 17 -- at Florida/Florida Atlantic (Gainesville, Fla.), 7 p.m. EDT
Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Florida Invitational (Gainesville, Fla.), 11 a.m. EDT
Tuesday, Oct. 21 -- at Toledo (Toledo, Ohio), 7:30 p.m. EDT
This Week
The University of Michigan women's swimming and diving team opens its 30th season of varsity competition this weekend in Gainesville, Fla. U-M will take on Florida and Florida Atlantic on Friday (Oct. 17) at 7 p.m. EDT at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center Natatorium. The Wolverines will return to the O'Connell Center Natatorium on Saturday (Oct. 18) to compete in the Florida Invitational at 11 a.m. EDT. The Wolverines then have a mid-week matchup with Toledo on Tuesday (Oct. 21, 7:30 EDT) at the Toledo Student Recreation Center.
Scouting the Opponents
Florida -- Michigan faces a tough test in its first opponent, as the Gators had a very successful season in 2002-2003. Florida went 11-1 overall last year, with its only loss coming at the hands of eventual national champion Auburn. The Gators also placed second behind Auburn at the Southeastern Conference Championships and came in fifth at the 2003 NCAA Championships. Florida is coached by Gregg Troy, who is in his sixth year as head coach of both Gator men's and women's teams. Michigan has faced Florida on three prior occasions, with the Gators coming out on top every time. U-M last faced Florida in the 2002-03 season opener in Ann Arbor (Oct. 24), where the Gators posted a 173-122 victory at Canham Natatorium. Florida on the Internet: www.gatorzone.com.
Florida Atlantic -- Florida Atlantic on the Internet: www.fausports.com.
Indian River -- Indian River on the Internet: www.ircc.cc.fl.us.
Toledo -- The Rockets opened their season last weekend (Oct. 17) at the Tom Stubbs Relay in Bowling Green, Ohio. Toledo captured four top-four finishes at the event, including the 300-yard backstroke, 300-yard breaststroke, 200-yard medley and 1,500-yard freestyle relays. Toledo, who finished fourth at the Mid-American Conference Championships last season, returns sixteen letterwinners from 2002-03. Head coach Brian Sharar begins his ninth season at the helm of the women' s swimming program. In their only previous meeting with Toledo, the Wolverines scored a 145-117 win at Canham Natatorium. Toledo on the Internet: www.utrockets.com.
U-M in Season Openers
The Wolverines will look to win their 15th season opener over the last 18 years with the opening dual meet against Florida on Friday night. Since the 1986-87 season, Michigan has posted a 14-4 record in opening dual meets, which includes one tri-meet that was held in 2000-01 against Iowa and Wisconsin. The Wolverines dropped a 173-122 decision in a home meet to Florida to open the 2001-02 schedule.
2002-03 in Review
Last season, Michigan finished 14th at the NCAA Championships and placed fourth at the 2003 Big Ten Championships behind senior Kelli Stein's (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Waterson HS) championship performance in the 200-yard breaststroke. Erin Abbey (1999-2003), Laura Kaznecki (1999-2003), senior Anne Weilbacher (Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales HS) and sophomore Abby Seskevics (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven HS) all earned NCAA All-America honors in the 200-yard freestyle relay, while junior Amy McCullough (West Bloomfield, Mich./Mercy HS) was named an All-American in the 200-yard freestyle. In addition, Abbey, Stein, McCullough and Weilbacher each earned NCAA All-America Honorable Mention in three events. Five other Wolverine swimmers took home All-American Honorable Mention accolades, bringing the final total 18.
Welcome to Ann Arbor
Michigan welcomes 11 newcomers to its 2003-04 roster. Freshmen Lisa Gonzalez (Albion, Mich./Albion HS), Kristen Metzger (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS), Julie Porter (Haverford, Pa./The Episcopal Academy) and Ellen Van Cleve (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) will all compete in diving for the Wolverines. Elaine Shalla (Fenton, Mich./Fenton HS), Lindsey Smith (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS), Nikki Starr (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon HS), Kaitlyn Brady (Wilmington, Del./Mount Pleasant HS) and Amanda Johnson (West Bloomfield, Mich./Lahser HS) will specialize in the freestyle events. Rounding out the class are distance swimmers Susan Gilliam (Los Angeles, Calif./Bolles HS) and Annie Stein (Longmont, Colo./Germantown Academy).
Introducing the Captains
The Wolverines have named three captains for the 2003-04 season, as Sara Johnson (West Bloomfield, Mich./Lahser HS), Anne Weilbacher and Alexis Goolik (Highland, Ind./Highland HS) have been selected to lead the Maize and Blue. Johnson earned an All-America Honorable Mention last season in the 800-yard freestyle relay, while Weilbacher is one of the most decorated Wolverines with one NCAA All-American selection and three NCAA All-America Honorable Mentions in 2002-03. Goolik, a junior diver, took 15th in the platform at the 2003 NCAA Diving Zones (March 14-15).
The Leader of the Wolverines
Michigan head coach Jim Richardson is entering his 19th year at the helm of the Wolverines. Over that time, his teams have dominated the Big Ten Conference, winning 12 consecutive league titles from 1987-98 and adding the team's 13th in 2001. During the 1998 season, Richardson recorded his 100th career victory, against Indiana University on Jan. 30. Since taking over the program in 1985-86, Michigan has finished in the NCAA top 10 all but seven years. In 1995, Michigan finished in second place as a team and followed that in 1996 by hosting the NCAA Championships and finishing third.
Next Week
Michigan will next face Toledo on Tuesday (Oct. 21). The meet against the Rockets is scheduled to begin at 7:30 EDT in Toledo, Ohio.
Contact: Marc Ressler (734) 763-4423
Friday, Oct. 17 -- at Florida/Florida Atlantic (Gainesville, Fla.), 7 p.m. EDT
Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Florida Invitational (Gainesville, Fla.), 11 a.m. EDT
Tuesday, Oct. 21 -- at Toledo (Toledo, Ohio), 7:30 p.m. EDT
This Week
The University of Michigan women's swimming and diving team opens its 30th season of varsity competition this weekend in Gainesville, Fla. U-M will take on Florida and Florida Atlantic on Friday (Oct. 17) at 7 p.m. EDT at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center Natatorium. The Wolverines will return to the O'Connell Center Natatorium on Saturday (Oct. 18) to compete in the Florida Invitational at 11 a.m. EDT. The Wolverines then have a mid-week matchup with Toledo on Tuesday (Oct. 21, 7:30 EDT) at the Toledo Student Recreation Center.
Scouting the Opponents
Florida -- Michigan faces a tough test in its first opponent, as the Gators had a very successful season in 2002-2003. Florida went 11-1 overall last year, with its only loss coming at the hands of eventual national champion Auburn. The Gators also placed second behind Auburn at the Southeastern Conference Championships and came in fifth at the 2003 NCAA Championships. Florida is coached by Gregg Troy, who is in his sixth year as head coach of both Gator men's and women's teams. Michigan has faced Florida on three prior occasions, with the Gators coming out on top every time. U-M last faced Florida in the 2002-03 season opener in Ann Arbor (Oct. 24), where the Gators posted a 173-122 victory at Canham Natatorium. Florida on the Internet: www.gatorzone.com.
Florida Atlantic -- Florida Atlantic on the Internet: www.fausports.com.
Indian River -- Indian River on the Internet: www.ircc.cc.fl.us.
Toledo -- The Rockets opened their season last weekend (Oct. 17) at the Tom Stubbs Relay in Bowling Green, Ohio. Toledo captured four top-four finishes at the event, including the 300-yard backstroke, 300-yard breaststroke, 200-yard medley and 1,500-yard freestyle relays. Toledo, who finished fourth at the Mid-American Conference Championships last season, returns sixteen letterwinners from 2002-03. Head coach Brian Sharar begins his ninth season at the helm of the women' s swimming program. In their only previous meeting with Toledo, the Wolverines scored a 145-117 win at Canham Natatorium. Toledo on the Internet: www.utrockets.com.
U-M in Season Openers
The Wolverines will look to win their 15th season opener over the last 18 years with the opening dual meet against Florida on Friday night. Since the 1986-87 season, Michigan has posted a 14-4 record in opening dual meets, which includes one tri-meet that was held in 2000-01 against Iowa and Wisconsin. The Wolverines dropped a 173-122 decision in a home meet to Florida to open the 2001-02 schedule.
2002-03 in Review
Last season, Michigan finished 14th at the NCAA Championships and placed fourth at the 2003 Big Ten Championships behind senior Kelli Stein's (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Waterson HS) championship performance in the 200-yard breaststroke. Erin Abbey (1999-2003), Laura Kaznecki (1999-2003), senior Anne Weilbacher (Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales HS) and sophomore Abby Seskevics (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven HS) all earned NCAA All-America honors in the 200-yard freestyle relay, while junior Amy McCullough (West Bloomfield, Mich./Mercy HS) was named an All-American in the 200-yard freestyle. In addition, Abbey, Stein, McCullough and Weilbacher each earned NCAA All-America Honorable Mention in three events. Five other Wolverine swimmers took home All-American Honorable Mention accolades, bringing the final total 18.
Welcome to Ann Arbor
Michigan welcomes 11 newcomers to its 2003-04 roster. Freshmen Lisa Gonzalez (Albion, Mich./Albion HS), Kristen Metzger (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS), Julie Porter (Haverford, Pa./The Episcopal Academy) and Ellen Van Cleve (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) will all compete in diving for the Wolverines. Elaine Shalla (Fenton, Mich./Fenton HS), Lindsey Smith (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS), Nikki Starr (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon HS), Kaitlyn Brady (Wilmington, Del./Mount Pleasant HS) and Amanda Johnson (West Bloomfield, Mich./Lahser HS) will specialize in the freestyle events. Rounding out the class are distance swimmers Susan Gilliam (Los Angeles, Calif./Bolles HS) and Annie Stein (Longmont, Colo./Germantown Academy).
Introducing the Captains
The Wolverines have named three captains for the 2003-04 season, as Sara Johnson (West Bloomfield, Mich./Lahser HS), Anne Weilbacher and Alexis Goolik (Highland, Ind./Highland HS) have been selected to lead the Maize and Blue. Johnson earned an All-America Honorable Mention last season in the 800-yard freestyle relay, while Weilbacher is one of the most decorated Wolverines with one NCAA All-American selection and three NCAA All-America Honorable Mentions in 2002-03. Goolik, a junior diver, took 15th in the platform at the 2003 NCAA Diving Zones (March 14-15).
The Leader of the Wolverines
Michigan head coach Jim Richardson is entering his 19th year at the helm of the Wolverines. Over that time, his teams have dominated the Big Ten Conference, winning 12 consecutive league titles from 1987-98 and adding the team's 13th in 2001. During the 1998 season, Richardson recorded his 100th career victory, against Indiana University on Jan. 30. Since taking over the program in 1985-86, Michigan has finished in the NCAA top 10 all but seven years. In 1995, Michigan finished in second place as a team and followed that in 1996 by hosting the NCAA Championships and finishing third.
Next Week
Michigan will next face Toledo on Tuesday (Oct. 21). The meet against the Rockets is scheduled to begin at 7:30 EDT in Toledo, Ohio.
Contact: Marc Ressler (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
Back/Sprints
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Back/Fly
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Distance
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Fly
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Back/IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Sprints
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Distance/IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Breast
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Fly/Free
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