Luther Claims Fourth Consecutive Iowa Conference Title
Feb. 2, 2008
The women's swimming and diving team claimed its fourth consecutive Iowa Conference championship this evening in Cedar Rapids. Coe College hosted the two-day meet Feb. 1-2. The Norse posted a team total of 792 points, out distancing second place Loras by 382 points.
During the two day's of competition, Norse swimmers captured eight individual titles and all five relay championships, plus secured 42 all-conference honors. All-conference honors are earned by an individual or a relay team by placing in the top two of an event. The Norse also established two Iowa Conference meet records and two school records. The Luther College coaching staff was also honored by being named the Iowa Conference Coaching Staff of the Year.
Iowa Conference meet records were set by Elissa Schmidt in the 200 freestyle (1:57.98), the 400 freestyle relay team (3:42.29) and the 800 freestyle relay (8:09.99). Schmidt, who was crowned conference champion of three events, also placed first in the 100 freestyle (54.47) and the 50 freestyle (25.30). She swam the first leg of the 400 freestyle relay, followed by Addison Choi, Amy Schneider and Rachel Bruns. Schmidt also led off the 800 freestyle relay foursome of Choi, Schneider and Valerie Hoops.
Elise DesRoches set two new Luther diving records, earning all-conference honors for both one-meter and three-meter diving. DesRoches placed second in both events producing a point total of 387.90 (11 dives) in one-meter competition and 385.30 (11 dives) in the three-meter competition.
Lauren Rauchwarter posted two Iowa Conference championships, winning both the 100 backstroke (1:04.31) and the 200 backstroke (2:18.54).
Kristin Trudell, Schneider and Bethany Nicoll were also crowned league champions. Trudell won the the 100 butterfly (1:04.28), Schneider placed first in the 500 freestyle (5:26.52), and Nicoll won the 200 IM (2:19.52). Trudell was also all-conference in the 200 butterfly (2:18.67) as was Nicoll in the 400 IM (4:53.58).
Members of the first place 200 freestyle relay were Schmidt, Choi, Nicoll and Rachel Bruns. This foursome posted a winning time of 1:42.64. Sara Kessler, Kari Kolsrud, Schmidt and Bruns placed first in the 400 medley relay with a time of 4:15.70. Rauchwarter, Kolsrud, Choi and Bruns breezed to a first place finish in the 200 medley relay clocked at 1:58.16.
Earning all-conference honors with second place finishes was Kolsrud in the 100 breaststroke (1:13.61) and 200 breaststroke (2:39.17); Betsy Gilbertson in the 200 IM (2:22.23); Bruns in the 100 freestyle (55.97) and 50 freestyle (25.41); Kessler in the 200 backstroke (2:18.61); Choi in the 200 freestyle (2:00.38); and Katheryn Sundry in the 100 butterfly (1:04.78), 500 freestyle (5:29.60) and the 1,650 freestyle (18:54.85).
Complete results - Team Results
The Norse will be off until Feb. 21-23, when they will travel to Principia College for the 2008 Liberal Arts Championships.
