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Vikings Head to Green Turtle Invitational

Jodi Turk finished fifth in the 1,000 freestyle as a freshman
Jodi Turk finished fifth in the 1,000 freestyle as a freshman
Posted: Jan 03, 2013

Contact: Jeff Sattora

Grand Cayman Islands- The Cleveland State Vikings' swimming and diving teams will be participating in a once in a lifetime experience this weekend, as both the men's and women's squads will be swimming at the Green Turtle Invitational in the Grand Cayman Islands.

This will be the Vikings' first time in the pool since December 4th when Cleveland State hosted the Cleveland College Dual Meet Invitational in the Robert F. Busbey Natatorium. Both the men (10-1-1) and women (8-2) were 4-0 on the day.

The men were led last time out by a familiar group of swimmers, as three upperclassman were able to pick up three wins each. Senior Mark De Swardt led the way once again for CSU, going a perfect three for three on the night. De Swardt first took home a win in the 1,000 freestyle in dominating fashion by 18 seconds (9:45.22), he then went on to win the 200 IM (1:55.84), and 500 freestyle (4:41.40). Junior Al Shillito and senior Berry Thompson also picked up three wins.

Shillito was also able to go a perfect three for three, with two individual wins and one relay win. In the relay he teamed up with Nathan Grant, Justin Kermack, and Berry Thompson to take home first place in the 200-medley relay (1:32.71). Individually he was victorious in the 200 freestyle (1:41.81), and 100 freestyle (46.44).

Thompson was the third three-time winner, picking up a second relay win in the 200 freestyle relay teaming up with Nathan Grant,Martin Persson, and Alex Lewis (1:23.92), and also winning individually in the 50 yard freestyle (20.73). 

 
 
 


On the women's side a freshman and senior led the way for the Vikings at the Dual Meet Invitational early in December. FreshmanJodi Turk had one of the best days of her young career bringing home two wins. Both wins came in dominating fashion for the freshman as she won the 500 freestyle (5:09.49) by 12 seconds, and the 1,000 freestyle (10:32.03) by an incredible 24 seconds.

Senior Alice Sommerville also had great swims for CSU on the day. She was able to pick up three wins, two individual and one relay. Individually she won the 50-yard freestyle (23.66), and the 100 breaststroke (1:05.63). She also teamed up with Jamie Puls,Gretchen Hestley, and Christine Kopacko to win the 200 freestyle relay (1:36.94).

The Vikings will be back home next weekend as the teams prepare to host both Oakland and Xavier December 12th at 1:00 p.m. at the Robert F. Busbey Natatorium on the CSU campus.