Michigan
Purdue
Wolverines Down Michigan State, Purdue in Season Opener
10/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 2, 2015
» Gillian Ryan, Emily Kopas, Clara Smiddy and Marni Oldershaw each won two individual events.
» Siobhán Haughey had an impressive collegiate debut, winning the 100-meter freestyle.
Site: East Lansing, Mich. (IM West Outdoor Pool)
Score: Michigan 156, Michigan State 80; Michigan 138.5, Purdue 97.5
Records: U-M (2-0, 2-0 B1G), PUR (1-1, 1-1 B1G), MSU (0-2, 0-2 B1G
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 10 -- host Alumni/Intrasquad Meet (Canham Natatorium), 10:30 a.m.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's swimming and diving team opened the 2015-16 season with a pair of victories against Big Ten foes Purdue (138.5-97.5) and Michigan State (156-80) in an outdoor, long-course meet on Friday (Oct. 2) at MSU's IM West Outdoor Pool.
Even with temperatures hovering around 60 degrees and winds causing a slight current in the pool, Michigan was dominant, winning 11 of 13 events, getting individual wins from five different swimmers. Additionally, the Wolverines set 10 pool records.
A trio of sophomores -- each of whom set at least one school record last season -- won two events a-piece, including Gillian Ryan in the 400-meter freestyle (4:26.66) and 800-meter freestyle (9:01.80), Emily Kopas in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:13.66) and the 200-meter breaststroke (2:40.22) and Clara Smiddy in the 100-meter backstroke (1:04.77) and 200-meter backstroke (2:17.05). The 200-meter backstroke was strong, in particular, as U-M went 1-2-3, with Smiddy touching the wall more than five seconds ahead of teammate Gabby DeLoof, who was second.
A pair of senior captains also had strong swims. Marni Oldershaw collected wins in the 200-meter butterfly (2:22.77) and 200-meter IM (2:23.01), while Ali DeLoof was second in the 100-meter freestyle (58.94) and 100-meter backstroke (1:05.99). Newcomer Siobhán Haugheywas impressive in her collegiate debut, winning the 100-meter freestyle (57.92) ahead of A. DeLoof.
Freshman Becca Postoll was the team's highest finisher in the 200-meter freestyle, taking second (2:07.67), while senior Zoe Mattingly also had a runner-up finish in the 100-meter butterfly (1:05.67).
The Wolverines also won both relays to bookend the meet, going 4:19.94 in the 400-meter medley relay (Smiddy, Kopas, Mattingly, A. DeLoof) and 3:57.49 in the 400-meter freestyle relay (Catie DeLoof, Postoll, Smiddy, Haughey).
Up next for Michigan is its annual alumni/intrasquad meet, held next Saturday (Oct. 10) at Canham Natatorium prior to football's Homecoming game vs. Northwestern. The meet will begin at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free.
Coinciding with the Weekend of Champions, various members of the 1994-95 men's and women's swimming and diving teams are expected to be in attendance. That year, the men won the national championship, while the women finished national runner-up.
Communications Contact: Brad Rudner
Players Mentioned
