Swimming & Diving Falls in Season Opener

Sept. 28, 2018

Results v. Iowa

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men and women's swimming and diving teams were defeated by the University of Iowa on Friday. The men lost 193- 98, while the women came up short, 160- 138.

"It was a good start. We had spots where we could have made a difference, especially on the women's side, but it was a good start. It's early in the season so we're not exactly mid-season form, and we shouldn't be," head coach Matt Gianiodis said.

The women came out strong in their season opener, scoring big for the Spartans. In numerous events, they took second, third, and fourth to give the Spartans some major points.

In the women's 1000 Freestyle, sophomore Marie Dickson claimed third at 10:56.31 while freshmen Lucy Schenden placed second at 10:50.64 and Sarah Zofchak in third with 10:59.35.

Seniors Ellie Roche and Ana Sortland also stepped up for the Spartans in the women's 100 breaststroke. Roche placed first with 1:04.24 and Sortland followed in second with 1:04.43

Showing out for the Spartans was sophomore Amanda Ling. Ling placed second in the women's 1m diving with a score of 268.87. With a score of 292.8, Ling claimed first place in the women's 3m diving. Both of her scores for the match qualify her for the NCCA Zone Regional.

"It's really nice for her to hit her NCAA qualifying scores her first meet of the season and also with Amanda after a great summer she finished 12^th and 15^th at the USA Diving Senior Nationals and then after that we complete revamped her list," head diving coach Eric Best said. "She's got three new dives, well actually four new dives, with a much, much harder degree of difficulty. Just a lot of training and she did a great job today."

For the men, junior Scott Piper recorded two second place finishes. In the men's 200 IM Piper finished at 1:53.38 and he finished at 1:52.93 in the men's 200 butterfly.

Sophomore Aidan Farley swam his way into first place with a time of 1:41.77 in the men's 200 freestyle.

"We had really good swims. Our breaststrokers did a great job. Ellie, she got touched down in the 200, but winning the 100 was a good deal. I thought Aidan had a good swim in the 200 freestyle and our divers are great. They always do good," Gianiodis said.

The Spartans return to action next Saturday, Oct. 6 at home for the annual Alumni Meet beginning at 9 a.m.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Marie Dickson

Aidan Farley

Amanda Ling

Scott Piper

Ellie Roche

Lucy Schenden

Ana Sortland

Sarah Zofchak