Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Indiana Intercollegiate
Women?s Swim & Dive Captures Second At Season Opener
October 17, 2015 | Women's Swimming and Diving
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Ball State women's swimming and diving team kicked off the 2015 season with action Saturday afternoon at the Indiana Intercollegiate, hosted by Purdue. The Cardinals had a strong showing in which it placed second with a score of 346 amongst the eight teams in attendance, while host Purdue cinched first with 896 points.
"We competed well and showed some improvement from last week's Red / White Intrasquad meet," Ball State women's swimming and diving head coach Kristy Castillo said. "Purdue always hosts a great meet and it's fun to see some of our in-state competition."
Ball State tallied seven top-five finishes, including junior Jessica Extine who posted two individual top-five finishes for the Cardinals. Extine finished third overall of 36 participants in the 50 freestyle (24.53), prior to earning fifth in the 100 freestyle in a 53.73 fashion. In addition to her individual performance, Extine opened the meet with a second place finish in the 200 medley relay (1:48.86) when she combined with sophomores Andrea Richter, Amanda Kedzierski and Traci Muszalski.
Individually, Kedzierski placed third overall in the 100 breaststroke, clocking a 1:04.90 time, in addition to placing ninth of 36 swimmers in the 200 IM (2:12.27).
Despite Purdue notching the first seven slots in the 100 butterfly, Ball State was able to earn 30 combined points from five swimmers in the event. Among those five Cardinals were freshman Maryn Meldrum who took eighth (59.25), junior Katie Horn who earned ninth (59.41), Richter who finished 10th (59.92), freshman Mason Dahman touched the wall 15th (1:01.29), and sophomore Jenna Zitkus earned a point with a 16th place performance (1:01.54).
In diving action, senior Madie Zirzow led the Cardinals when she finished fourth in three-meter diving (238.20), prior to landing a ninth place finish on the one-meter (227.00). Other diving top-ten finishes included junior Quinn Bixler's 235.35 score for sixth and sophomore Taylor Fiew's 203.20 points for ninth on the three-meter. Junior Brittany Penn earned a 10th place finish on the one-meter board with a score of 217.80.
Prior to closing out the Indiana Intercollegiate with a fourth place finish in the 200 free relay (1:42.19) with teammates Lauren Elston, Allie Kolz, and Mikayla Dostall, sophomore Hannah Cressman earned two individual top-ten finishes on the day, including a sixth place finish in the 200 freestyle (2:00.00) out of 35 participants, as well as seventh in the 500 freestyle (5:20.21).
"Next weekend's road meets will be a good test for us, so it's back to work in the pool Monday," Castillo added. "There is lots to work on, and we will continue progressing from here."
Looking ahead, the women's swimming and diving team will have a busy upcoming weekend on the road, where it will take on Akron and Toledo on Oct. 23, followed by Buffalo and McMaster on Oct. 24.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's swimming and diving action, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateWSwim on Twitter.
Players Mentioned
