2001-02 MSU Women's Swimming And Diving Season Prospectus
10/3/2001 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
This season is one of the most important in recent memory for the MSU women's swimming and diving program. Coach Jim Lutz believes that the 2001-02 team could be a stepping stone for the program to become a factor for years ahead in the Big Ten conference.
"I think we can make a big step forward this season," said Coach Lutz. "Our women should make a substantial jump at the conference level and also be a Top 25 team at the NCAA's."
Returning Letterwinners
The Spartans return 12 letterwinners from last season's team and are solid in every department.
Senior Ashby Baldock and junior Katie Duncombe are the top returnees in the backstroke. Baldock had a season-best time of 2:05.70 in the 200 back in the 2001 Big Ten Championships, while Duncombe is looking to get back to the NCAA Championships, where she competed in the 100 and 200 backstroke as a freshman.
Senior Ildiko Szekely heads the butterfly events. Szekely will also swim in the individual medley's, where she holds the school record in the 400 IM with a time of 4:26.96.
Juniors Jessica Brutz and Alice Callan, who compete in the free and butterfly, are also expected to contribute points for the Spartans.
Divers
Senior Carly Weiden, last year's 1-meter Big Ten champion and co-diver of the year, leads a strong Spartan diving unit coached by 36-year veteran John Narcy. Junior Stephanie Anisko also returns from a strong sophomore campaign that saw her score points at the Big Ten Championships. Freshman Kelly Baldwin rounds out the diving unit.
Newcomers
Coach Lutz is real excited about the prospects of this year's freshmen class.
"We have freshmen this year that are a huge improvement not only in talent level but also in depth," said Lutz. "Our travel team will have a completely different look from last year's because the incoming group is so strong. They are going to make an immediate impact."
In the freestyle, Lutz is looking for newcomers Alicia Copestick, Deanne Clayton, Tammy Jones and Sarah Urbanik to have productive freshmen seasons. Jana Richardson and Amy Todd will also be factors in the middle distance.
The other top newcomer is Jen Windstein, a freshman from Lancaster, Pa.
"We are looking at Jen to compete in the distance events as well as middle distance," said coach. "She's going to win a whole lot of races this year.
"It's not uncommon in swimming and diving for freshmen to play a big factor. That's what has to happen to us, and I feel real comfortable that it will happen this season for our team."
Overview
"Overall, we have a really good group, " said Lutz. "I'm real optimistic that we've filled a lot of holes from our lineup last year. Teams competing against us are going to have their hands full. If we're not winning events, we're at least going to be competitive in all areas."
Coach Lutz is looking forward to the challenges that await his team this upcoming season.
"I think this season can be the start of some real great things to come for us in the future," he said. "It should be a lot of fun watching these girls compete at a high level all season long."
