Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Sports

It was the end of one of the best seasons in ISU swimming and diving history. ISU took home third place at the State Farm MVC Championships with a team score of 715.5, behind Missouri State (942) and Southern Illinois (774.5). The team finished with an overall dual-meet record of 6-4.

"We have a lot to be proud of," Head Swimming Coach Steve Paska said. "It was a pretty good way to end a great season. I thought we handled ourselves tremendously, and I just have to say hands down to Missouri State. The way they came out and performed, they deserved it."

On the first day of the meet, senior captain Tracy Deyell led the way. Deyell placed second in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2 minutes, 5.57 seconds, which broke her previous school record. Freshman Ashley Bachler took seventh in the 500-yard freestyle. Seniors Valerie Zaleski and Kathleen Borkovec placed fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 50-yard freestyle. The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Amy Schaefer, Borkovec, Jessica Santi and Zaleski placed third. The 400-yard medley relay team of Christine Byron, Deyell, Schaefer and Zaleski also placed third.

Deyell picked up where she left off on day two with a first-place finish in the 400-yard individual medley, setting a championship record with a time of 4 minutes, 27.18 seconds. Schaefer placed third in the 100-yard butterfly event. Sophomore Lindsay Dinkelman earned a fourth place time in the 100-yard breaststroke. The team of Byron, Dinkelman, Deyell and Zaleski finished fourth in the 200-yard medley relay. The 800-yard medley team of Schaefer, Bachler, Borkovec and Deyell, finished third for the day.

The second day of the championship was the first day of diving. Senior Katie Janonis placed first with a score of 241.75 on the 1-meter board. Sophomore Liza Perrino placed third, and freshman Corrie Heine placed fourth.

"I was proud that the girls came out and did their best," Head Diving Coach Phil Hoffmann said. "It was a strong competition, and each of the girls performed up to their capabilities. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for us."

The last day of the Championship saw Deyell break another record. She finished second in the 200-yard breaststroke with a school record time of 2 minutes, 21.70 seconds. Dinkelman finished fifth in the 200-yard breaststroke. Sophomore Amy Werkema placed seventh in the 1650-yard freestyle. Schaefer finished fourth in the 200-yard butterfly. The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Borkovec, Zaleski, Deyell, and Schaefer placed third. Perrino led the divers as she placed fifth overall on the 3-meter board with a score of 224.95. Heine followed with a seventh-place finish, and Janonis placed eighth.

"Tracy had a tremendous weekend for us," Paska said. "She broke several records this past weekend and I couldn't be happier for her. We had a lot of personal bests and personal records; I felt we performed at a very high level. I am extremely happy where we ended our season."

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