2007-08 Women s Outlook Michigan State Spartans www.msuspartans.com 7
2007-08 Women s Swimming Season Outlook IT S QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY Young Spartan squad has several talented swimmer and strong diving group that can make an impact The Michigan State women s swimming & diving team is ready for the 2007-08 season. No seniors, no problem. The 2007-08 edition of the Michigan State women s swimming & diving team is undoubtedly young as the 28- athlete roster features eight freshmen and 11 sophomores and not one swimmer with senior eligibility. But if the Spartans have their way in the pool this season, youth will be served. We have a solid group, head coach Matt Gianiodis said. We don t have any seniors, not one. We re pretty thin numbers-wise this year, so we ll need people to step up and swim multiple events for us. If we can do that, I think we can have a pretty good team. The Spartans strength in numbers lies in the sophomore class, a promising group that returns with a year of collegiate swimming under its belt. We have a big sophomore class of kids that need to grow up quickly, Gianiodis said. They need to mature from a competition standpoint and also in their training. If they do that, we can be pretty good this year. Without any seniors, we re going to put a lot of pressure on the juniors and sophomores to be leaders. Here is an event-by-event breakdown of the 2007-08 Spartans: Sprint Freestyle The sprint freestyle corps features a mix of swimmers who have experience and potential. One thing is for certain, they are all young and have room to grow. We re not as deep in the sprint freestyle area as we have been the past few years, Gianiodis said. But, we do have some swimmers with a lot of potential. Leading the spring freestylers will be junior Julie Kahn, who was among the team s leading dual meet scorers a year ago. She won the 100 free against Akron and Oakland last season, and will also be counted score in the 50 free and lead MSU s freestyle relays. Kahn will certainly be counted on to perform in multiple events, as she was in the pool for five events at last year s Big Ten Championships. Redshirt sophomore Betsy DeJonge was in the lineup in the 50 free last season and is another of the team s sprint freestyle leaders. A pair of freshmen, Stephanie Fisher and Alex Dockstader, are very fast freestyle swimmers and will be counted on to make an immediate impact. I think Stephanie and Alex are very good swimmers who can come in and contribute for us right away, Gianiodis said. Sophomores Kara Wackerle and Erinn Wertz are another pair of freestyle swimmers that could have an impact this season after gaining a year of collegiate swimming experience last year. Both competed in every meet and several freestyle events at the Big Ten Championships last season. Mid-Distance Freestyle The mid-distance freestyle group is of one of the team s strong points. Junior tri-captain Marlys Fuqua, sophomore Mara Loniewski and Dockstader are the top three mid-distance freestyle swimmers. It s a solid group, and we ll be better in this area than we were last year, Gianiodis said. Having Alex helps us because she can swim a lot of different events. Junior Heather Kiluk and sophomore Sasha Lewerenz, two of the team s most versatile and experienced swimmers, will also see time in the mid-distance free events. Distance Freestyle Michigan State has a lot of capable swimmers who can compete in the distance free events, led by Fuqua and Dockstader. Fuqua, who scored in seven dual meets last season, is at her best in the 1,000 free. The junior won the event against Akron and Illinois, respectively, on consecutive days to start last season. She has also had success at the collegiate level in the 200 and 500 free, and will be counted on to anchor the distance free relays. After the versatile Dockstader and junior Kendall Barry, a trio of freshmen, Susie Monsell, Emily Michaels and Alex Crigler, will test their endurance in the freestyle this season. We did pretty well in this area last year, Gianiodis said. With Marlys back and our new swimmers contributing, I feel we can get a lot better in the distance events. Breaststroke Gianiodis is very excited about the group of swimmers he has competing in the breaststoke events. This is another area where I feel we have improved over last year, he said. It s a very solid group. Sophomore Sarah Biasello is the team s top breastroke swimmer, consistently finishing in the top three in dual meets as a freshman. Another sophomore, Laura DeFord, was one of the team s highest scorers and is another consistent source of points. The wild card in the breaststroke equation is freshman Courtney Roberts, who comes to the Spartans after winning a state championship in the 100 breast last year. Roberts is a talented swimmer with a high ceiling. Courtney has the potential to be a great swimmer here, Gianiodis said. She won a state championship in high school in Michigan. She s a little inexperienced, but she s a very good swimmer. Butterfly Three young Spartans will compete in the butterfly events this season. Junior Alison Johnson and sophomore Nicole Golen, both 8 Michigan State Spartans www.msuspartans.com
2007-08 Women s Swimming Season Outlook very versatile swimmers, headline the fly corps. Johnson is also experienced in the breaststroke and distance freestyle, while Golen can also swim the distance free. A butterfly swimmer to watch is freshman and nearby Okemos native Rebecca Ebner. She is expected to make an immediate impact. Backstroke The Spartans are very strong in the backstroke. Two key backstrokers return in sophomores Sasha Lewerenz and Cassie Hamilton. The versatile newcomer Fisher will also contribute to the backstroke unit. We re pretty deep and we have a lot of talent in the backstroke events, Gianiodis said. We ve got Sasha and Cassie, who both know they can perform, and Stephanie, who will be one of our best freshmen. Lewerenz was one of the team s top performers a year ago, winning four 100 back and five 200 back races during the season. She placed in the top 20 in both back events at the Big Ten Championships, and is one of the top options to be able to chalk up team points at the league meet this year. Hamilton scored in five different meets last season, establishing herself as a top backstroker on the squad. She is another swimmer that MSU can use in different events, as she has experience in the breaststroke and individual medley events. Fisher, who is one of the fastest freestyle swimmers on the team, gives Gianiodis another backstroke option. The Wisconsin native is accustomed to swimming on winning teams, having won four team state championship teams in high school. Individual Medley The Spartans enter the season with three proven options in the individual medley in junior Heather Kiluk and sophomores Emma Schaefer and Laura DeFord. Kiluk, a tri-captain, is one of the most experienced and versatile swimmers on the team. She was among MSU s top distance free, IM, back and fly swimmers. Two years ago, she was named the team s most improved swimmer and will be looked upon to provide leadership this season. In addition to being one of the team s fastest IM swimmers, Schaeffer enjoyed success in the distance free events. She posted at least one top-three finish in six different dual meets and has the endurance to contribute in multiple distance events in any meet. DeFord s IM strength is in her speedy breastroke, and having her in the IM lineup helps the Spartans score in events where they might not have a lot of swimmers. Diving Gianiodis makes no mistake in saying that the diving corps is the team s top group. Led by juniors Danielle Williams and Alycia Mokedanz, the fifth-year coach thinks the unit can be as good as any in the Big Ten. There s no doubt our best area is diving, Gianiodis said. Both Danielle and Alycia are good divers and have scored in the top eight in the conference. Kayla Kalmbach is also a very good diver that can also be at that level. Williams, who enjoyed immense success in her first two seasons before shoulder surgery kept her off the boards last season, placed 11th at the national meet and is primed to be one of the Big Ten s premier divers. She has qualified for the Zones Championships in each of her two years and was named MSU s Diver of the Year in 2006. Mokedanz, a tri-captain, was MSU s best diver at last year s Big Ten Championships and with Williams back in the lineup, completes a formidable 1-2 diving punch. Mokedanz placed eighth in the conference in one-meter diving and was a finalist at the Zones as a freshman. Kalmbach is primed for a breakout season after competing in five dual meets last season. Junior Allison Haring has two years of Big Ten Championships experience and freshman Jordan Jackson is a diver that Gianiodis says can definitely contribute down the road. Schedule After having a schedule heavy with home meets last season, the Spartans will spend most of 2007-08 in opposing pools. MSU will swim in 11 dual meets, nine of which are on the road, in addition to a multi-team invitational at Ohio State in November. The Spartans open the season at home against Illinois before swimming on consecutive weekends at Iowa and St. Bonaventure. After a two-dual weekend trip to Penn State, the Spartans will compete in the Ohio State Invitational on Nov. 30. Ball State hosts MSU on Dec. 9 to close the 2007 calendar year. Road meets at Valparaiso, Purdue and Michigan are followed by another trip to Ohio State on Jan. 19. The dual meet season concludes at home versus Oakland on Jan. 25. The Spartans saw success against Big Ten Foes in the regular season before falling a bit behind in the league meet. Gianiodis focus is on preventing that from happening this season. We stress what happens at the end of the year, he said. We would like to win our dual meets. Last year, we didn t really have the continuity we needed on the team. When you re in a situation where you re at the league meet and there are 11 good teams on deck, you need to be able to count on your teammates. Our theme for this team is to get better as the year goes on, and swim our best at the end. Junior Alycia Mokedanz (pictured) and Danielle Williams will be among the Big Ten s best divers this season. Michigan State Spartans www.msuspartans.com 9
KENDALL BARRY ALEX CRIGLER JUNIOR DISTANCE FREESTYLE PORTAGE, MICH. PORTAGE ONE OF THE MOST EXPERIENCED SWIMMERS ON THE TEAM, SHE WILL PROVIDE DEPTH IN THE DISTANCE FREESTYLE. Sophomore Season: Scored points in two dual meets... Placed third in the 1,000 free (10:42.00) against Michigan (10/25)... Registered a second place finish in the 500 free (5:13.86) versus Ball State (12/9)... Competed in the 200, 500 and 1,000 freestyle events at the Big Ten Championships. Freshman Season: Finished fifth (10:51.21) in the 1,000 free against Oakland (1/20) Finished second in the 1,000 free (10:55.05), behind teammate Tesla Hughes, against St. Bonaventure (1/28 ). High School: Four-year letterwinner... Three-time all-state nominee... Played water polo as well... Competed on Great Lakes Aquatics club team. Personal: Born March 31, 1987 in Portage, Mich.... Daughter of Dan and Barb Barry... Psychology major. SARAH BIASELLO SOPHOMORE BREASTSTROKE MOBILE, ALA. WESTWOOD THE TEAM S LEADER IN THE BREASTROKE, SHE HAS THE POTEN- TIAL TO BE A VARSITY RECORD-HOLDER AT MICHIGAN STATE. Freshman Season: Recorded eight top-three finishes in dual competition... Captured runner-up finishes in the 100 breast (1:08.36) and 200 breast (2:26.36) in the season opener against Akron (10/20)... Clocked a time of 2:25.94 in the 200 breast versus Illinois, good for a third place finish (10/21)... Placed second in 100 breast (1:08.46) against Iowa (10/28)... Placed third in the 200 breast (2:26.05) in MSU s win over Ball State (12/9)... Captured first place with season-best 2:24.11 in 200 breast against Oakland in the regular season finale (1/19)... Also added a third place swim in the 100 breast (1:07.13) against Oakland... Competed in the 200 IM, 100 breast and swam the second leg of the 400 medley relay at the Big Ten Championships. High School: Two-time letterwinner in swimming at Westwood High School Earned all-state and All-America honors Competed for the Capital of Texas Aquatics club team. FRESHMAN FREESTYLE/BUTTERFLY SINKING SPRINGS, PA. WILSON A HARD WORKER WHO HAS GREAT PASSION FOR MICHIGAN STATE, SHE WILL HELP THE SPARTANS IN THE DISTANCE FREE AND FLY EVENTS. High School: Four-time all-league and all-county selection for coaches Roy Snyder and Robert Bright... Placed fourth in the 200 free as a junior... Finished sixth in the state in the 500 free as a junior and followed that with a fifth-place swim as a senior... Also qualified for the state finals in the 100 and 200 fly... Named team captain as a senior. Personal: Born May 4, 1989 in Reading, Pa.... Daughter of Forest and Kelly Crigler... Father Forest competed in the decathlon at Princeton... National Honor Society honoree in high school... Psychology major. LAURA DeFORD SOPHOMORE BREASTSTROKE BAY CITY, MICH. JOHN GLENN AFTER MAKING GREAT STRIDES LAST SEASON, SHE WILL BE COUNTED ON TO CONTRIBUTE IN MANY DIFFERENT EVENTS THIS SEASON. Freshman Season: Won team s Most Improved Swimmer award... Notched 10 top-three finishes in three different events... Opened the season by winning the 200 breast (2:24.82) in MSU s win over Akron (10/20)... Registered second-place swims in the 100 breast (1:06.82) and 200 breast (2:25.62) against Illinois (10/21)... Scored in two other Big Ten meets, posting a third-place performance in the 100 breast against Iowa (10/28) and a second-place 200 breast swim against Purdue (1/13)... Closed the regular season by finishing third in the 200 breast (2:24.80) and 200 IM (2:10.99) versus Oakland (1/19). High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Tony Bachigalupo Earned all-state and Independent Swim Conference Swimmer of the Meet honors twice Participated in the YMCA Nationals for two years Named team captain and team MVP her senior year Swam for the Flint Falcons club team for two years. Personal: Born April 13, 1988 in Bay City, Mich. Daughter of Michael and Rose Ann Deford Zoology major. Personal: Born April 20, 1988 in Mobile, Ala. Daughter of Michael and Catherine Biasello No-preference major. 10 Michigan State Spartans www.msuspartans.com
BETSY DeJONGE REBECCA EBNER HAS SHOWN A GREAT ATTITUDE AFTER BATTLING VARIOUS OB- STACLES IN HER FIRST TWO YEARS, SHE IS READY TO BE ONE OF THE TEAM S IMPORTANT ASSETS. Freshman Season: Scored in five dual meets, including four secondplace outings in the 50 free... Clocked a 24.91 in the 50 free to capture second place against Akron (10/20)... Placed third in 50 free (24.89) versus Iowa (10/28)... Posted season-best 50 free time of 24.63 en route to a second-place finish and added a third-place finish in the 100 free (54.01) in MSU s win over Oakland (1/19)... Swam the 50 and 200 free in addition to the 200 free relay at the Big Ten Championships. 2005-06: Redshirted. REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE SPRINT FREESTYLE ZEELAND, MICH. ZEELAND High School: Holds high school 50 free record... Four-year letterwinner... All-state and All-America selection... Zone 5 Michigan Swimmer of the Year junior and senior years... Qualified for the U.S. Open. Personal: Born July 18, 1986 in Zeeland, Mich.... Daughter of Bruce and Christine DeJonge... Retail major. ALEX DOCKSTADER FRESHMAN DISTANCE FREESTYLE KENMORE, N.Y. KENMORE WEST CAME TO MICHIGAN STATE AFTER GROWING UP IN COACH GIANIODIS HOMETOWN, SHE WILL BE NEEDED TO CONTRIBUTE IN MULTIPLE EVENTS. FRESHMAN BUTTERFLY OKEMOS, MICH. OKEMOS A SWIMMER FROM NEARBY OKEMOS WHO HAS KNOWN COACH GIANIODIS FOR YEARS, SHE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A TOP- NOTCH BUTTERFLY SWIMMER. High School: Four-year letterwinner at Okemos for coach Liz Watkins. Personal: Born December 8, 1988 in Lansing, Mich.... Daughter of Karl and Isabel Ebner... Professional writing major. STEPHANIE FISHER FRESHMAN SPRINT FREESTYLE HARTLAND, WIS. ARROWHEAD UNION ONE OF THE MORE HEAVILY-RECRUITED ATHLETES ON THE TEAM, SHE WILL BE EXPECTED TO HAVE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT IN THE SPRINT FREE AND BACKSTROKE EVENTS. High School: Two-time High School All-American and all-state performer for coach Bob Jenkyns... Led Arrowhead Union to four straight team state championships... Set state record in 50 free (24.14) as a sophomore... Contributed on multiple state record relay teams, including a national relay record her junior year... Was an honor roll student and member of the student senate... Elected team captain as a senior. Personal: Born March 3, 1989 in Madison, Wis.... Daughter of Scott and Melissa Fisher... Life science/pre-dental major. High School: Four-time team MVP at Kenmore West under coach Carrie Meetze... Led team to fifth-place finish at state finals as a senior... Placed fourth in the state in the 200 free and competed on the school s third-place 200 free relay... Finished sixth in the state in the 100 free as a junior... Placed seventh at the state finals in both the 100 back and 200 IM during sophomore season... Qualified for state finals in 200 IM as a freshman... Served as team captain for three years... Four-time scholar athlete and National Honor Society member... Swam for the Tonawanda Titans swim club and has also taken part in several philanthropic swimming events. Personal: Born March 30, 1989 in Buffalo, N.Y.... Daughter of Williams and Nancy Dockstader... Criminal justice major. Michigan State Spartans www.msuspartans.com 11
MARLYS FUQUA NICOLE GOLEN JUNIOR DISTANCE FREE FAIRPORT, N.Y. FAIRPORT ONE OF THE TEAM S TRI-CAPTAINS AND ONE OF THE TOP TRAIN- ERS SINCE GIANIODIS CAME TO MSU, SHE WILL BE THE TEAM S LEADING DISTANCE FREESTYLE SWIMMER. Sophomore Season: Named team s Spartan of the Year... One of the team s leading scorers, registering dual meet points in seven contests... Opened the season with a first-place swim in the 1,000 free (10:32.29) versus Akron (10/20) and clocked a time of 10:25.06 to win the 1,000 free the next day against Illinois... Placed second in the 1,000 free and third in the 500 free against Iowa (10/28)... Posted a third-place performance in the 1,000 free versus Ohio State (11/11)... Won the 500 free against Ball State (12/9) with a season-best time of 5:06.93... Added a first-place 1,000 free effort against Purdue (1/13)... Scored in the 500 and 1,000 freestyle events in regular season finale against Oakland (1/19)... Competed in the 200 and 500 free and also swam the anchor leg of the 800 free relay at the Big Ten Championships. Freshman Season: Finished 12th in the 200 back (2:09.24) at the Ohio State Invite Took second place in the 1,000 free (10:38.77) and third place in the 500 free (5:15.88) against Ball State Finished third in the 200 free (1:58.04) against St. Bonaventure. High School: Named team MVP in 2002... Earned All-America honors in 2003 and 2004... Was a High School Academic All-American in 2004. Personal: Born Aug. 30, 1987 in Frederick, Md.... Daughter of Michael and Sandra Fuqua... General business administration/pre-law major. SOPHOMORE BUTTERFLY ALPHARETTA, GA. CHATTAHOOCHEE A BRIGHT PERSON WITH A GREAT PERSONALITY, SHE WILL BE COUNTED ON TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN THE BUTTERFLY GROUP. Freshman Season: Posted three third-place performances in the 200 fly... Clocked a time of 2:10.61 against Ball State (12/9) before posting a season-best 2:09.72 versus Purdue (1/13)... Finished regular season with a 2:11.91 swim against Oakland (1/19)... Competed in the 100 and 200 fly and the 500 free at the Big Ten Championships. High School: Two-time swim team captain and Cougar Award winner at Chattahoochee for coach Bill Folkins Earned All-America honors Led team to state championship Swam for the Swim Atlanta club team. Personal: Born Feb. 28, 1988 in Pitsfield, Mass. Daughter of Larry and Chris Golen Special education major. CASSIE HAMILTON SOPHOMORE BACKSTROKE/BREASTSTROKE KENNEWICK, WASH. SOUTHRIDGE ANOTHER SOPHOMORE WHO WILL BE COUNTED ON FOR LEAD- ERSHIP, SHE WILL BE ONE OF THE TEAM S KEY INDIVIDUAL MED- LEY SWIMMERS. Freshman Season: Scored in five different dual meets, posting seven top-three placings in the 100 and 200 backstroke events... Opened season by finishing third in the 200 back (2:10.65) versus Akron (10/20)... Posted third-place performances in the 100 and 200 back against Iowa (10/28)... placed second in the 200 back (2:09.67) and third in the 200 breast (2:33.29) at Notre Dame (11/10)... Placed second in the 100 back (1:00.35) and third in the 200 back (2:09.40) versus Ball State (12/9)... Capped the season with a season-best time of 2:08.90 in the 200 back against Oakland... Competed in the 100 and 200 back and the 200 IM at the Big Ten Championships. Junior Marlys Fuqua, MSU s top distance swimmer, is one of this three captains on this year s team. High School: Earned four varsity letters in swimming at Southridge High School Three-time All-American Named Big 9 Swimmer of the Year twice Won the district championship all four years and the state championship her senior year for Coach Jason Hart Named team captain her senior year Swam for the Tri-City Channel Cats USS team for nine years Also earned varsity letters in basketball and tennis. Personal: Born Feb. 5, 1988 in Kennewick, Wash. Daughter of Bob and Kellie Hamilton Kinesiology major. 12 Michigan State Spartans www.msuspartans.com
ALLISON HARING ALISON JOHNSON JUNIOR DIVING GRAND LEDGE, MICH. GRAND LEDGE A DIVER WITH WHAT COACH BEST CALLS EXCELLENT FORM, SHE SERVES AS THE TEAM S PLATFORM SPECIALIST. Sophomore Season: Posted a three-meter season-high of 223.72 against Illinois (10/21)... Competed in the one-meter against Ball State (12/9) and Oakland (1/19)... Participated in three-meter diving at the Big Ten Championships. Freshman Season: Placed 20th at the Big Ten Championship in platform competition Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. High School: Four-year letterwinner... Captured all-conference diving honors in 2003 and 2004... Was also a four-year letterwinner in gymnastics and competed on the equestrian team. Personal: Born Sept. 4, 1986... Daughter of Duane and Laurie Haring... Dietetics major. JORDAN JACKSON FRESHMAN DIVING FLUSHING, MICH. FLUSHING A VERY NATURALLY ATHLETIC DIVER, WITH TIME SHE COULD BE ONE OF THE BIG TEN S BEST. High School: Two-time letterwinner for coach John Maxwell... Twotime diving conference champion... An academic all-conference and all-state selection... Captured all-conference accolades in track three times and qualifying for the state championships in 2005... Named a scholar athlete all four years of high school... Also competed on cheerleading team for three years. Personal: Born Dec. 4, 1988 in Charleston, S.C.... Daughter of David and Jill Jackson... Ranked in the top 10 in her high school class... Named to the National Honor Society and also served on the student council... Kinesiology major. JUNIOR BUTTERFLY/BREASTSTROKE ROCHESTER HILLS, MICH. ADAMS AN EXPERIENCED SWIMMER, HER LEADERSHIP WILL BE A KEY AS- SET THIS SEASON. Sophomore Season: Posted season-best effort in 200 fly (2:12.69) at Notre Dame (11/10)... Also swam on two relay teams against the Irish... Scored a team point with a fifth-place swim in the 1,000 free (10:55.13) versus Ball State (12/9)... Competed in the 100 and 200 fly and the 500 free at the Big Ten Championships. Freshman Season: Took third in the 200 fly against Ball State Recorded a third-place finish in the 400 IM against Oakland Finished second in the 200 IM against St. Bonaventure, with a time of 2:13.39. High School: Earned all-state and All-American honors in 2004... Member of Oakland Live Y ers club team... Was also an Academic All-American in 2004. Personal: Born May 12, 1987 in Rochester Hills, Mich.... Daughter of Phil and Barb Johnson... Economics major. KAYLA KALMBACH SOPHOMORE DIVING GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. EAST GRAND RAPIDS AN INCREDIBLY STRONG DIVER, SHE HAS ADDED A NUMBER OF DIVES TO HER ARSENAL THIS SEASON. Freshman Season: Competed on one-meter boards in five dual meets... Added three-meter diving appearance versus Ball State (12/9)... Posted season-high one-meter score of 202.05 against Michigan (10/25). High School: Earned four varsity letters in diving under former MSU diving graduate assistant Anne Williamson at East Grand Rapids... Academic All-American also earned MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Honors... Also a four-year letterwinner in track... Owns the East Grand Rapids record for long jump... Received all-conference award... Elected captain of the track team as a junior and senior... A member of the National Honor Society. Personal: Born June 10, 1988... Daughter of Kevin and Deb Kalmbach... Chemical engineering major. Michigan State Spartans www.msuspartans.com 13
JULIE KAHN HEATHER KILUK JUNIOR SPRINT FREESTYLE SALINE, MICH. SALINE EXPECTED TO LEAD THE TEAM S FREESTYLE GROUP THIS YEAR, SHE GIVES A DAILY EXAMPLE OF HOW TO TRAIN THE RIGHT WAY. Sophomore Season: Recorded a top-three swim in every dual meet except at Notre Dame... Placed first in the 50 free (24.75) and 100 free (53.32) in season opener against Akron (10/20)... Season-best 50 free time of 24.49 came against Illinois (10/21)... Won the 50 free (24.59) versus Iowa (10/28)... Notched a second-place swim in the 100 free (54.25) against Ohio State (11/11)... Scored team points in three events, including second-place efforts in the 50 and 100 free events, in MSU s win over Ball State (12/9)... Placed second in the 50 free (24.52) and 100 free (53.37) against Purdue (1/13)... Closed regular season by winning the 100 free with a season-best time of 53.22 in the 100 free versus Oakland (1/19)... Competed in five events (50, 100 and 200 free and two relays) at the Big Ten Championships. Freshman Season: Member of the 400 free relay that took 11th at the Big Ten Championship Placed first against St. Bonaventure in both the 100 free and the 400 medley relay Finished third in the 200 free relay at the Ohio State Invitational. High School: Earned all-district and all-state selections in 2004... Also earned Academic All-America honors in 2004... Member of the Ann Arbor Swim Club, Plymouth Y National Team and Michigan Zone club team... Four-year letterwinner. Personal: Born Sept. 24, 1987... Daughter of William and Sandra Kahn... Psychology major. JUNIOR IM/BACKSTROKE LIBERTYVILLE, ILL. LIBERTYVILLE ONE OF THE TEAM S TRI-CAPTAINS, SHE HAD A GREAT SUMMER AND IS AMONG THE TEAM S TOP RETURNERS. Sophomore Season: Consistently scored points in the distance free, IM, backstroke and butterfly events... Opened the season by winning the 500 free (5:05.25) and placing second in the 200 fly (2:09.62) against Akron (10/20)... Recorded third-place swims in the 200 fly (2:10.00) and 400 IM (4:32.10) the next day versus Illinois... Posted season-best 200 IM effort (2:08.24) in first-place swim against Iowa (10/28)... Added another winning 200 IM effort versus Ohio State (11/11)... Won the 1,000 free (10:35.63) in MSU s win over Ball State (12/9)... Placed third in the 200 back (2:09.11) and 400 IM (4:34.47) against Purdue (1/13)... Competed in the 200 and 400 IM, the 200 fly and swam the second leg of the 800 free relay at the Big Ten Championships. Freshman Season: Finished 12th in the 400 IM (4:24.04) at the Big Ten Championships Took first place in the 400 IM (4:29.38) and in the 200 backstroke (2:08.51) against Oakland Finished 11th in the 200 IM (2:08.64) at the Ohio State Invitational... Earned the women s John Narcy Most Improved Award. High School: Four-year letterwinner... All-state and All-American selection all four years... Earned all-sectional and all-state honors in 2004... Member of the CATS Aquatic club team. Personal: Born Feb. 2, 1987 in Orange County, Calif.... Daughter of Robert Edwards and Joni Kiluk... Advertising major. Junior Heather Kiluk is one of the most versatile swimmers on the team, specializing in the butterfly and backstroke. 14 Michigan State Spartans www.msuspartans.com
SASHA LEWERENZ MARA LONIEWSKI SOPHOMORE BACKSTROKE/IM ROCHESTER HILLS, MICH. ADAMS SHOWED GREAT TALENT IN LAST YEAR S SHORT COURSE SEA- SON, SHE HAS THE CHANCE TO MAKE HER MARK IN THE BIG TEN. Freshman Season: Named team s Swimmer of the Year... Dominated the backstroke events throughout the season, winning four 100 back heats and five 200 back races during the dual meet season... Won both backstroke events against Akron, Illinois, Iowa and Oakland... Posted regular season bests in 100 back (57.14) and 200 back (2:03.38) against Illinois (10/21)... Recorded a trio of top-three 200 IM finishes, including a second-place swim (2:09.85) versus Ball State (12/9)... Also placed third in the 50 free against Ball State... Concluded regular season with a 57.42 time in the 100 back and a 2:04.26 performance in the 200 back against Oakland (1/19)... Tied for 18th in the 100 back at the Big Ten Championships with a season-best time of 56.60... Clocked a season-best 2:02.07 in the 200 back at the conference meet, good for 20th place. High School: Earned four letters under coach Tim Hickey at Adams Earned All-America honors her freshman, junior and senior years Swam for the Oakland Live Y ers club team. Personal: Born Dec. 1, 1988 in Detroit, Mich. Daughter of Fred and Kris Lewerenz Pre-med major. SOPHOMORE SPRINT FREESTYLE FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH. MERCY ONE OF THE TEAM S FASTEST SWIMMERS, SHE WILL BE COUNTED ON TO ANCHOR THE FREESTYLE UNIT. Freshman Season: Swam to five first-place finishes on the season... Opened the campaign by winning the 200 free (1:53.70) in MSU s win over Akron (10/20)... Followed that with another 200 free win the next day against Illinois (10/21)... Placed first in the 200 free and third in the 100 free versus Michigan (10/25)... Posted season-best 500 free time (5:03.38) in first-place swim against Iowa and then added a victory in the 200 free (1:54.25) and a third-place effort in the 100 free (53.86) against the Hawkeyes (10/28)... Notched second-place finishes in the 200 free and 500 free versus Ohio State (11/11)... Placed second in the 200 free (1:54.91) and third in the 500 free (5:09.20) against Purdue (1/13)... Competed in five events at the Big Ten Championships, posting a team-best 1:53.32 in the 200 free... Also saw action in the 100 and 500 free and the 800 and 400 free relays. High School: Four-year letterwinner in swimming at Mercy High School for coach Shannon Dunworth Won the state championship in the 200 freestyle Earned all-state and all-area honors Named team captain twice Competed for the Ann Arbor Swim Club. Personal: Born June 29, 1988 in Farmington Hills, Mich. Daughter of Joseph and Kelly Loniewski Aunt, Cathy, swam for Albion College Kinesiology major. EMILY MICHAELS FRESHMAN DISTANCE FREESTYLE ROCHESTER, MICH. STONEY CREEK ANOTHER OF THE TEAM S GREAT ADDITIONS, SHE WILL PROVIDE DEPTH IN THE FREESTYLE CORPS. High School: Three-time state finals qualifier in 200 and 500 free... Placed eighth in the state meet in the 500 free as a junior... Earned three letters at Stoney Creek for coach Traci Valasco... Elected team captain as a senior. Sophomore Sasha Lewerenz is MSU s top backstroke swimmer. Personal: Born Feb. 23, 1989 in Rochester, Mich.... Daughter of Anthony and Clarice Michaels... Brother, Joey, plays tennis at Connecticut... Communications major. Michigan State Spartans www.msuspartans.com 15
ALYCIA MOKEDANZ COURTNEY ROBERTS JUNIOR DIVING PICKERING, ONTARIO NORTHVIEW HEIGHTS FOLLOWING INJURY-RIDDLE SOPHOMORE SEASON, COACH BEST EXPECTS A RETURN TO FRESHMAN FORM: A BIG TEN FINALS AP- PEARANCE. Sophomore Season: Registered team points in five dual meets... Posted third-place one-meter dive (278.54) against Illinois (10/21)... Placed fifth off three-meter board (235.80) and second in one-meter diving (257.77) against Ball State (12/9)... Concluded regular season with a second-place showing in the three-meter (264.07) versus Oakland (1/19)... Registered MSU s best three-meter score (253.70) at the Big Ten Championships... Also competed on the one-meter board at the league meet. Freshman Season: Named MSU Freshman of the Year after becoming a finalist at the NCAA Regional Diving Zones Placed eighth on the one-meter board (264.15) at the Big Ten Championships Claimed first place in the one-meter (288.53) against Oakland (1/20)... Registered third-place effort (297.61) on three-meter board against Notre Dame (1/21). High School: Earned an 11th place finish in the one-meter competition in the Canadian Jr. Nationals 2005... Member of the Etobicoke diving club. Personal: Born Sept. 12, 1987 in Scarborough, Calif.... Daughter of Roy SUSIE MONSELL FRESHMAN DISTANCE FREESTYLE ROCHESTER, MICH. ROCHESTER A GREAT STUDENT AND AN EXPERIENCED DISTANCE SWIMMER, SHE WILL PROVIDE DEPTH IN THE DISTANCE FREESTYLE. High School: Posted personal-bests of 5:06 in the 500 free, 10:29 in the 1,000 free and 17:40 in the mile free. Personal: Born July 14, 1989 in Rochester Hills, Mich.... Daughter of Ed and Wendy Monsell... Physics and astronomy major. FRESHMAN BREASTSTOKE/BUTTERFLY MILAN, MICH. MILAN COULD HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT AMONG THE NEWCOMERS, SHE HAS CHANCE TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL. High School: Lettered four times and was named team MVP three times at Milan for coach Dan Heikka... Earned all-state honors in each of her four seasons... Selected as Monroe County Swimmer of the Year in junior and senior seasons... Won 16 conference championships and was a first team league scholar-athlete selection... Won 100 breast state championship as a senior... Placed fourth at state meet in 100 breast in previous three seasons... First team Ann Arbor News selection as a senior... Holds school records in 100 breast, 100 fly and 200 free relay... Also earned three varsity letters in track, garnering team MVP honors twice. Personal: Born July 15, 1989 in St. Joseph s Mich.... Daughter of Ed and Janice Roberts... Nursing major. EMMA SCHAEFFER SOPHOMORE IM /DISTANCE FREESTYLE BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICH. LAHSER AFTER FINISHING STRONG AS A FRESHMAN, SHE WILL HELP THE SPARTANS IN THE DISTANCE FREE AND IM EVENTS. Freshman Season: Registered at least one top-three finish in six different dual meets... Opened the season with second-place efforts in the 1,000 free (10:36.27) and the 200 IM (2:11.16)... Followed that with season-best 1,000 free time (10:33.52) versus Illinois (10/21)... Clocked a time of 10:37.41 to place third in 1,000 free and added a second-place swim in the 200 IM versus Iowa (10/28)... Placed third in 1,000 free (10:36.12) at Notre Dame (11/10)... Swam to a second-place finish in the 200 fly (2:09.08) against Ball State... Concluded regular season with a second-place effort in the 200 IM (2:10.25) versus Oakland (1/19)... Competed in the 200 and 400 IM and mile free at the Big Ten Championships. High School: Earned one varsity letter at Lahser for coach Mike Rado Earned All-America honors in 2002 Two-time all-state selection Swam for coach Jeff Cooper on the Oakland Live Y ers club team. Personal: Born July 9, 1988 Daughter of Kevin and Anne Schaefer Father, Kevin, played football for Albion College Kinesiology major. 16 Michigan State Spartans www.msuspartans.com
KARA WACKERLE DANIELLE WILLIAMS SOPHOMORE SPRINT FREESTYLE AUBURN, MICH. WESTERN AN ATHLETE WHO OWNS A GREAT PASSION FOR SWIMMING AND WORKS HARD AT THE SPORT, SHE WILL PROVIDE DEPTH IN THE SPRINT FREESTYLE UNIT. Freshman Season: Competed in every meet, primarily in free relay events... Swam on fourth-place 400 free relay team in season opener against Akron (10/20)... Contributed on 200 medley relay team that placed fourth versus Illinois (10/21)... Also swam on 200 free relay team that registered points against Michigan (10/25)... Competed in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events at the Big Ten Championships. High School: Four-time letterwinner in swimming at Western Earned first-team All-Valley and Valley MVP honors Named team MVP and team captain her senior year Holds the Western High School records in the 100 free, 200 medley relay, and the 400 free relay Swam for coach Betsy Kolm on the Midland Barracudas club team. Personal: Born June 17, 1988 in Midland, Mich. Daughter of Kenn and Kathy Wackerle Pre-med major. ERINN WERTZ SOPHOMORE SPRINT FREESTYLE ROCKFORD, MICH. ROCKFORD FOLLOWING A STELLAR OUTING AT THE LEAGUE CHAMPION- SHIPS, MSU LOOKS TO HER TO SPARK THE SPRINT FREESTYLE GROUP THIS SEASON. Freshman Season: Registered fourth-place swims in the 200 free against Akron (10/20) and Illinois (10/21)... Placed third in 100 free (54.36) versus Ohio State (11/11)... Clocked a time of 1:03.13 en route to a fourth-place effort in the 100 back against Ball State (12/9)... Competed in 50, 100 and 200 free in addition to swimming the second leg of the 400 free relay at the Big Ten Championships. THE TEAM S TOP DIVER, COACH BEST EXPECTS HER TO BE AMONG THE BIG TEN S BEST. FOLLOWING SHOULDER SURGERY LAST YEAR, SHE PLACED 11TH AT THE CANAIDAN SENIOR NATIONAL MEET. 2006-07 Season: Redshirted. JUNIOR DIVING DORCHESTER, ONTARIO CLARK READ Sophomore Season: Named MSU Diver of the Year Qualified for the NCAA Regional Diving Zones Placed sixth on the one-meter and ninth on the three-meter board at the Big Ten Championship Placed 10th at the 2006 Canadian Nationals On the three-meter, took first (313.85) against Michigan, first (264.97) against Ball State, topped the competition with a score of 335.93 vs. Notre Dame Took third (275.55) in one-meter diving against Michigan (10/28)... Placed third (259.65) on one-meter board versus Ball State (12/10), placed second (270.07) against Oakland and earned third (289.27) against Notre Dame (1/21). Freshman Season: Earned team s Freshman of the Year Award... Swept the diving competition at Michigan, taking the one meter with a score of 275.77, setting a career best, and tallying 276.00 in the three meter... Won the three meter against Ball State (306.30)... Took first in the three meter against Purdue (282.22) and Oakland (285.30)... Finished second in both the one meter (249.90) and three meter (275.25) in meet with Notre Dame/Pittsburgh... Took eighth in the three meter (429.80) and 10th in the one meter (243.25) at the Georgia Invitational... Finished 17th in the Big Ten Championships in the three meter (435.80), setting a career best... Placed 14th in the one-meter board at the NCAA Diving Zone C Qualifying Meet with a mark of 442.40... Finished seventh on three meter and ninth on one meter at the 2005 Canada Games... Placed 10th on the three-meter board at Senior Nationals. High School: Competed for the Forest City Diving Club... Won the Ontario provincial championship in the summer of 2004... Qualified for Canadian Junior Nationals in 2003 and 04... Qualified for the Canadian Senior Nationals in 2004. Personal: Born Sept. 16, 1986 in London, Ontario... Daughter of the late Steven and Jody Williams... Kinesiology major. High School: Four-time letterwinner at Rockford for coach Tom Parks Earned all-conference and all-state honors all four years Named team captain twice Swam for the Rockford Riptide club team Earned allregional (2004-06), all-district (2004-06), all-conference (2006), all-state (2005, 06)... Earned four varsity letters in water polo, serving as team captain twice... Captured All-America honors in water polo as a senior. Personal: Born Nov. 4, 1987 in Zeeland, Mich. Daughter of Jim and Diane Wertz Father Jim played baseball at Grand Valley State... Mother, Diane, swam at Central Michigan Brother, Andrew, plays baseball at Morehead State No-preference major. Michigan State Spartans www.msuspartans.com 17
2007-08 Women s NCAA Qualifying Standards 2007-08 WOMEN S NCAA QUALIFYING STANDARDS Short Course Yards Short Course Meters Long Course Meters EVENT A Standard B Standard A Standard B Standard A Standard B Standard 50 Free 100 Free 200 Free 500 Free Mile Free 22.62 49.42 1:47.09 4:45.46 16:23.54 23.29 50.90 1:50.30 4:54.02 16:53.04 25.25 55.16 1:59.53 4:09.75 16:20.60 26.00 56.81 2:03.11 4:17.24 16:50.01 25.98 56.55 2:02.54 4:16.71 16:48.76 26.75 58.24 2:06.21 4:24.41 17:19.02 100 Breast 200 Breast 1:01.85 2:14.19 1:03.70 2:18.21 1:09.03 2:29.77 1:11.10 2:34.26 1:11.10 2:32.84 1:13.22 2:37.42 100 Fly 200 Fly 53.75 1:58.99 55.36 2:02.55 59.99 2:12.81 1:01.79 2:16.78 1:01.29 2:15.07 1:03.13 2:19.11 100 Back 200 Back 54.38 1:57.32 56.01 2:00.83 1:00.70 2:10.94 1:02.52 2:14.86 1:03.76 2:16.90 1:05.67 2:21.00 200 IM 400 IM 2:00.34 4:15.63 2:03.95 4:23.29 2:14.31 4:45.31 2:18.34 4:53.86 2:18.81 4:51.82 2:22.97 5:00.57 200 FR 400 FR 800 FR 200 MR 400 MR 1:31.01 3:18.39 7:10.49 1:39.49 3:38.02 1:33.74 3:24.34 7:23.40 1:42.47 3:44.56 1:41.58 3:41.42 8:00.46 1:51.04 4:03.33 1-m Dual 265.00 3-m Dual 280.00 Platform 226.00 1:44.63 3:48.06 8:14.87 1:54.37 4:10.63 1:44.49 3:47.00 8:12.56 1:54.49 4:11.18 1:47.63 3:53.80 8:27.33 1:57.92 4:18.72 18 Michigan State Spartans www.msuspartans.com