Jan. 15, 2011
Contact: Dan Carr
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State women's swimming and diving team, already off to the best start in program history, added two victories to the win column on Saturday (Jan. 15). The Vikings defeated Xavier, 160-77, and Duquesne, 151.5-85.5. CSU also swam against Oakland, falling to the Grizzlies, 146.5-96.5.
The victories improved Cleveland State's record to 13-1, the second most wins in a season in school history. CSU is one win shy of tying last year's squad, which set the record with 14.
A strong all-around team effort helped the Vikings notch those wins on Saturday, with the most prominent performer being Alice Sommerville. With wins in the 50 free (23.69), 100 fly (56.48) and 100 breast (1:05.89), Sommerville turned in some of her fast times of the year while going a perfect 3-0 on the day.
"I really have to credit Alice with an outstanding performance," head coach Wally Morton said. "That was some solid swimming."
Joanna Olsson and Carys Behn also helped the cause with wins on Saturday. Olsson took first in the 200 IM (2:09.80) while Behn won the 200 free (1:52.91) and helped the 200 free relay team to a first place finish (1:37.49).
The Vikings also took first in the day's other relay, winning the 200 medley in 1:48.27.
"We had very solid performances in both relays," Morton said. "[The win in the 200 free] was a great way to finish the day against some solid teams."
Making the wins even more impressive was the fact that CSU was coming off an intensive week of training in Puerto Rico, having just returned to campus last Wednesday.
"Given the fact that they've been together for two weeks and were in such a torn down state, I was extremely pleased with our performances today," Morton said.
The Vikings will now have a week to prepare for their next test, as CSU hosts Horizon League rivals Wright State and Youngstown State next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. A win over either would tie the school record for dual meet wins in a season, while sweeping the meet would make this year's squad the most successful single season team in program history.
