University of Louisville
at Indiana Invitational
Swimming and Diving Completes First Day of IU Invitational
November 18, 2005 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 18, 2005
The University of Louisville swimming and diving teams had 12 lifetime bests as they completed the first day of the Indiana University Invitational at the the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center in Bloomington, Ind., on Nov. 18.
"We took a short rest from training to come here and swim and we swam well." said Arthur Albiero, U of L head swim coach. "We took a break to get a good assessment on where we are at this point."
Notably, this is the first season the IU Invitational will not have a team champion, as the meet changed into an open format to include more swimmers and divers in the event.
The women started the evening out well with a strong swim in the 200 free-relay. The A-team, in fact,was just two seconds off the school record. The B-relay team was right behind their teammates for a strong showing in the event.
"We have some interchangeable parts on our relay teams and that is a great sign of good depth on our team," said Albiero.
In the 500-free, Ashley Jackson had a lifetime best and Melanie Greyling swam a strong prelim and Albiero cited Abby Miller's swim of 5:02.96 as notable.
The Cardinals performance in the women's 200-IM showed U of L's strength in this event. U of L had five of the top eight finishes. Leslie VanWinkle, Jennifer Schimenti, Abby Miller, Heather Meng and Leigh Smith finished second, third, fourth, fifth and seventh respectively.
Next up was the 50-free and the Cardinals swept the consolations, finishing first, second and third.
"Both Emily Rabe and Rebecca Clark both made BIG EAST cuts," said Albiero.
On the men's side, Albiero was pleased with the men's 200-Free Relay swim when the Cardinals finished third. Steven Lowrance's lead leg was a BIG EAST qualifying time at 21.62. Tyler Smith finished fourth in the 500-free and freshman Anthony Mason made BIG EAST qualifying times in the 500-free and Travis Gray swam just off his lifetime best in the event.
"Tyler had the inspired swim of the day," said Albiero. "He shaved two seconds off his lifetime best and that makes it an inspired swim."
Louisville sprinters made their presence known by finishing fifth, sixth and seventh with three of the top eight swims of the day. Jon Farnham, Matt Maley and Matt Lees were in the hunt for the Cardinals.
"This is a grueling format, but that is why we are swimming here. Some of our kids swam three or four times today and we came for the great racing and to prepare for the BIG EAST meet later on this season."
"We have another big day ahead of us on Saturday, so we will rest up and start again in the morning," said Albiero.
Vali Preda finished third in the 200-IM which Albiero called a strong swim against a challenging field.
