Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Dennis Stark Relays
Swimming & Diving Opens Season With Strong Showing
October 03, 2008 | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - - The Ball State swimming & diving program opened the 2008-09 season by placing second (women) and third (men) in the 2008 Dennis Stark Relays hosted by Notre Dame Friday evening.
“Competing in today's relay meet was a great way to start the season,” said Laura Seibold-Caudill. “It was exciting to be in a competitive atmosphere and get our student-athletes in a competitive mood.”
The women's squad finished the meet with 198 points, falling just behind host Notre Dame who collected 280 points. Illinois State (195) finished third, followed by St. Mary's College (101), Cleveland State (70) and Marquette (48).
Notre Dame also collected the men's title with 255 points, followed by Oakland (204), Ball State (162), Cleveland State (106) and Marquette (74).
Despite the third-place team showing, the men's squad posted the only Ball State event victory on the day, as Zach Coquillard, Tony DeBrota, Ryan Misener and Dane Mishler combined for a time of 1:29.57 in the Mixed 200 Yard Freestyle Relay.
On the women's side, Megan Ploetz, Mary Ehresman, Alanna Bader and Maria Gramelspacher posted a time of 3:59.54 in the 400 Yard Butterfly Relay, giving the women's squad its first of five runner-up finishes on the day.
Also scoring second place efforts for the women were:
- - Erika Paul, Nicole Saulters, Sarah Hostetler and Kaitlin Jasmon (4:03.39) in the 400 Yard Backstroke Relay
- - Lauren Harger, Emily Hurst, Catherine Ingram and Emily Haifley (4:36.89) in the 400 Yard Breaststroke Relay
- - Kaitlin Jasmon, Lauren Harger, Erika Paul and Katie Bylsma (1:51.10) in the 200 Yard Medley Relay
- - Lisa Maertin and Whitney Adams (461.85) in the Women's Diving Relay.
The Ball State swimming and diving team returns to action next Saturday, when both the men's and women's squads travel to Eastern Illinois for a 1 p.m. (CT) meet.
MEET PREVIEW
MUNCIE, Ind. - - After a thrilling Red & White meet which saw the Red team squeak out a 293-267 victory over the White squad, the Ball State swimming & diving team will officially open the 2008-09 campaign Friday at 5 p.m. when it travels to Notre Dame to compete in the Dennis Stark Relays.
Last season, both the men's and women's squads placed second at the Dennis Stark Relays, with the women tying Illinois State for runner up spot.
Unlike normal swimming meets, which feature individual and relay events, the format for the Dennis Stark Relays will feature all relay events, including a relay diving competition. In addition, there will be several mixed relay events, in which the men and women can compete on the same team.
Looking to carry over momentum from last weekend's Red & White meet are BSU swimmers & divers who won multiple events on the day:
- Junior Ben Karwoski (Bluffton, Ind./Bluffton H.S.) was the top overall winner at the Red & White meet, collecting first-place honors in the 200 Freestyle (1:49.33), 500 Freestyle (5:00.44) and the 200 Butterfly (2:00.92).
- Junior Austin Laska (Palos Park, Ill./A.A. Stagg H.S.) took home top honors in the 50 Freestyle (21.53) and the 100 Freestyle (48.53).
- Junior Tyler Dixon (Jeffersonville, Ind./Jeffersonville H.S.) was BSU's top performer in the 100 Backstroke (55.40) and the 200 Backstroke (2:02.15).
- Senior Davie Linn (Elkhart, Ind./Concord H.S.) won both the 1-meter Diving (199.05) and the 3-meter Diving (212.93) events.
- Sophomore Katie Bylsma (Westfield, Ind./Pinckney H.S.) took home first in the women's 50 Freestyle (25.08) and the 100 Freestyle (54.81).
- Sophomore Maria Gramelspacher (Jasper, Ind./Jasper H.S.) captured the top spot in both the 200 Freestyle (2:00.40) and the 500 Freestyle (5:18.66).
- Senior Megan Ploetz (Mount Vernon, Ind./Castle H.S.) led all Ball State swimmers in the 100 Butterfly (1:00.06) and the 200 Butterfly (2:09.48).
- Junior Lisa Maertin (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way-Central H.S.) was BSU's top scorer on both the 1-meter Diving Board (240.00) and the 3-meter Diving Board (234.75) events.
In addition to the returner's top performance, several newcomers posted event wins in the meet:
- Freshman Andrew Hostetler (Vincennes, Ind./Jasper H.S.) captured the title in the 200 Individual Medley (2:04.48), while his twin sister Sara Hostetler (Vincennes, Ind./Jasper H.S.) took home top honors in the 200 Backstroke (2:09.85).
- Freshman Todd Wenger (Middlebury, Ind./Northridge H.S.) clocked in with a time of 55.07 to take first-place honors in the 100 Butterfly.
- Freshman Emily Haifley (Roanoke, Ind./Homestead H.S.) was the top 200 Breaststroke swimmer, turning in a time of 2:28.14.
