THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING
MISSION STATEMENT
The Ohio State University Department of Athletics (OSUDA) supports the University mission by providing student-athletes with exceptional educational and athletic opportunities. We commit to national leadership, excellence and the highest ethical standards in intercollegiate athletics. We will sustain a strong financial and community base of support by presenting outstanding intercollegiate athletic teams, which provide quality entertainment and a positive public identity for the University. MEDIA INFORMATION
Quick Facts ................................................................................................................. 2 Athletics Communications Office .............................................................................. 2 Opponent Information ................................................................................................ 3 Schedule .................................................................................................................... 3 Swimming Outlook ..................................................................................................... 4 Diving Outlook ............................................................................................................ 5 Roster ......................................................................................................................... 5 Pronunciation Guide ................................................................................................... 5
PEOPLE. TRADITION. EXCELLENCE.
The Department of Athletics ..................................................................................6-9 The Ohio State University ...................................................................................10-13 Exceptional Academics .......................................................................................14-17 Benchmark Facilities ...........................................................................................18-19 McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion ....................................................................................... 20 Meet Day at Ohio State ........................................................................................... 21 Media Exposure ....................................................................................................... 22 Caring for the Community ........................................................................................ 23 Support Staff .......................................................................................................24-25 Ohio State Traditions ..........................................................................................26-27 Columbus, Ohio ...................................................................................................28-29 Gordon Gee, University President ............................................................................ 30 Eugene Smith, Director of Athletics ........................................................................ 31 The Big Ten Conference and Big Ten Network ........................................................ 32 NCAA Compliance ................................................................................................... 33 THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES Student-Athlete Biographies ..............................................................................34-41 Head Coach Jeanne Fleck ...................................................................................42-43 Assistant Coaching Staff ......................................................................................... 43 Diving Coach Vince Panzano .................................................................................... 44 HISTORY AND TRADITION 2006-07 Season Review .......................................................................................... 45 Records and Honors ................................................................................................. 46 Big Ten Champions and Honors ............................................................................... 47 NCAA History ........................................................................................................... 48 Honors and Awards.............................................................................................49-50 Letterwinners ......................................................................................................51-52
kristin asman
O H I O S TAT E B U C K E Y E S
Editor - Jerry Emig Assistant AD for Creative Services - Diana Sabau Graphic Designer - Kyle McKee Photographers - Michael Abramson (Courtesy Roy Lichtenstein Foundation), Howard Brayman, Chance Brockway, Chance Brockway Jr., Scott Brockway, Hal Clark, Kevin Fitzsimons, Terry Gilliam, V. Scott Gilmore, Rebecca Gray, Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mark Hall, Jo McCulty, OSU Biomedical Communications, OSU Photo Archives, Ohio State University Relations, Lance Parker, Michael Pogany (The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium), Rick Prebeg, Carole Rosing, Jamie Sabau, Dale Sparks, Dan Trittschuh, Will Schilling, Gail Wadley, Tom Wolf (AllSport). Printing - Ohio State University Printing Services and Reprographics, Columbus, Ohio. This publication has been prepared to assist in your coverage of Ohio State athletics. Every attempt has been made to ensure its accuracy and thoroughness. On behalf of the Department of Athletics, we would like to thank you for your coverage of Ohio State’s 36 intercollegiate varsity sports and look forward to working with you again this year. Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or need assistance.
CREDENTIAL REQUESTS
Members of the working media interested in obtaining credentials should contact Kendra Lee in the athletics communications office at 614-292-6861 or email at lee.3147@osu.edu.
CREDENTIAL PICK-UP
Credentials may be picked up in the athletics communications office in Room 124 of St. John Arena prior to the meet.
anastasia von rahl
MEDIA INTERVIEWS
Media wishing to conduct weekly interviews or an interview on the road with any member of the Ohio State women’s swimming and diving team should contact Lee in the OSU Athletics Communications Office. Please call at least one day in advance.
UNIVERSITY FACTS
Location ............................................... Columbus, Ohio (pop. 1.5m) Founded ....................................................................................1870 Enrollment ............................................ 51,818 (Columbus campus) 59,091 (all campuses) Nickname ......................................................................... Buckeyes Colors ................................ Scarlet (PMS 200) and Gray (PMS 429) Mascot ....................................................................Brutus Buckeye President ....................................................................... Gordon Gee Director of Athletics .................................................. Eugene Smith Faculty Representative ................................................. John Bruno Conference ................................................................Big Ten (1913)
ROAD REQUESTS
Please direct all credential requests for Ohio State’s road games to the host school’s sports information director (see opponent information on pg. 3).
ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS
PRACTICES
The Buckeyes practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 3-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday in the 50-meter pool at the Bill and Mae McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion.
WEEKLY RELEASE
The weekly release, which includes notes and statistics, is available each week on the official Ohio State athletics web site at: ohiostatebuckeyes.com. Releases are not mailed.
SWIMMING & DIVING HISTORY
DAN WALLENBERG JERRY EMIG
Asst. Athletic Director for Athletics Communications
Women’s Swimming and Diving Contact
Assistant Athletics Director of Communications .. Dan Wallenberg Director ...........................................................................Shelly Poe Associate Director ......................................................Leann Parker Assistant Directors ..................Jerry Emig, D.C. Koehl, Tim Stried, Courtney Walerius, Danielle Warner, Adam Widman Women’s Swimming and Diving Contact ...................... Jerry Emig Office Phone ................................................... 614-688-0343 Cell Phone ...................................................... 614-203-2766 E-mail ........................................................ emig.2@osu.edu Mailing Address ....................................... Rm. 124, St. John Arena 410 Woody Hayes Drive Columbus, Ohio 43210-1166
Big Ten Championships ................................................................. 5 Swimming All-Americans ........................................................... 49 Diving All-Americans .................................................................. 35 All-Big Ten Selections ................................................................. 70 Academic All-Big Ten Selections .............................................. 156 Home Facility ........................................McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion Building 247, 1847 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210 Total Seating Capacity ............................................................ 1,750 Total Capacity in Gallons ................................................. 1,557,968
MEDIA MEET SERVICES
Game notes will be made available to the media prior to each meet. Results will be distributed to the media about 20 minutes following each meet. Any additional requests should be directed to Lee.
RADIO AND TV BROADCASTS
Members of the media wishing to broadcast Ohio State meets should contact the athletics communications office at least 48 hours prior to the date.
TEAM FACTS
Swimming Coach ........................................Jeanne Fleck, 9th year Alma Mater, Year ....................................................Iowa State, ’87 OSU Record ..........................................................................47-49-1 Career Record ..................................................................132-157-1 Assistants ..................................................................... Dan Phillips Diving Coach ............................................Vince Panzano, 30th year Alma Mater, Year ..................................................... Ohio State, ‘72 Trainer ........................................................................ Katrina Stibel Swimming Phone .......................................................614-292-4415 Diving Phone ..............................................................614-282-0527 Fax ..............................................................................614-688-5736 E-Mail .................................................................. fleck.22@osu.edu Email ............................................................... panzano.1@osu.edu
POST-MEET PROCEDURES
Interviews will begin 10 minutes after the meet ends. Swimmers, divers and coaches will be available on the pool deck. A member of the OSU Athletics Communications Office will assist with interviews. Any additional requests should be directed to Lee.
MEET DAY MANAGEMENT
Press Row ....................................................... 614-292-1813 Facility Operations ......................................... 614-292-6532 Ticket Office ................................................... 614-292-2624 Marketing ...................................................... 614-292-3672 Training Room ................................................ 614-292-7880 Equipment Room ........................................... 614-292-2654
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Photo passes are issued to daily newspapers, wire services and special periodical publications. Flash photography is prohibited and strobe use must be approved in advance.
PHOTO REQUESTS
All still photography requests of Ohio State athletes and coaches must be faxed or emailed to Diana Sabau, director of athletic publications. She can be reached through the athletics communications office at 614-292-6861 or electronically at sabau.2@osu.edu. Photo credentials should be requested through the individual sport contact.
OHIOSTATEBUCKEYES.COM
This is the official web site of the Ohio State Athletics Department. Ohio State women’s swimming and diving releases as well as a wide variety of athletics department information can be found on the web, including links to all 36 varsity sports.
VIDEO SERVICES
For information regarding video services and meet footage (if available), contact Mark Smith, manager of video services at 614-688-5359.
2 OHIO S TAT E WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING 2007-08
O H I O S TAT E B U C K E Y E S
2007 OPPONENT INFORMATION
mary ann wiser
Kenyon Lords Head coach: Jim Steen Home Pool: KAC Center SID: Marty Fuller SID Phone: (740) 427-5471 SID Email: fullerm@kenyon.edu Website: athletics.kenyon.edu Ohio Bobcats Head Coach: Greg Werner Home Pool: OU Aquatic Center 2006-07 Record: 10-3 SID: Wes Liles SID Phone: (740) 597-1784 SID Email: liles@ohio.edu Website: ohiobobcats.com Washington Huskies Head Coach: Whitney Hite Home Pool: Husky Pool 2006-07 Record: 3-3 SID: Ryan Borde SID Phone: (206) 685-3119 SID Email: rborde@u.washington.edu Website: gohuskies.cstv.com USC Women of Troy Head Coach: Dave Salo Home Pool: McDonald’s Swim Stadium 2006-07 Record: 5-4 SID: Paul Goldberg SID Phone: (213) 740-8480 SID Email: pgoldber@usc.edu Website: www.usctrojans.com
Toledo Rockets Head Coach: Lars Jorgensen Home Pool: UT Student Recreation Center 2006-07 Record: 5-5 SID: Paula Rober SID Phone: (419) 530-4925 SID Email: prober@UTNet.UToledo.Edu Website: utrockets.com Wright State Raiders Head Coach: Sion Brinn Home Pool: WSU Natatorium 2006-07 Record: 6-6 SID: Greg Campbell SID Phone: (937) 775-4687 SID Email: campbell@wright.edu Website: wsuraiders.cstv.om Kentucky Wildcats Head Coach: Gary Conelly Home Pool: Lancaster Aquatic Center 2006-07 Record: 4-2 SID: Debbie Moore SID Phone: (859) 257-3838 SID Email: deb.moore@uky.edu Website: ukathletics.com
Michigan State Spartans Head Coach: Matt Gianiodis Home Pool: Charles McCaffree Pool 2006-07 Record: 3-5-1 SID: Josh Rattay SID Phone: (517) 355-2271 SID Email: jrattay@ath.msu.edu Website: www.msuspartans.com Eastern Michigan Eagles Head Coach: Peter Linn Home Pool: Jones Natatorium 2005-06 Record: 9-2 SID: Sarah VanMetre SID Phone: (734) 487-0317 SID Email: svanmetr@emich.edu Website: www.emueagles.com Northwestern Wildcats Head Coach: Jimmy Tierney Home Pool: Norris Aquatics Center 2006-07 Record: 3-6 SID: Doug Meffley SID Phone: (847) 491-7503 SID Email: d-meffley@northwestern.edu Website: www.nusports.com Michigan Wolverines Head Coach: Jim Richardson Home Pool: Canham Natatorium 2006-07 Record: 4-2 SID: Ryan Sosin SID Phone: (734) 763-423 SID Email: rsosin@umich.edu Website: www.mgoblue.com
2007-08 OHIO STATE WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING SCHEDULE
Oct. 19 ...............Fri. ...................Scarlet and Gray .......................... Columbus, Ohio ................................... 5 p.m. 27 ...............Sat. ...................at Kenyon/ Ohio ............................. Kenyon, Ohio ...........................................1 p.m. Nov. 2-3 ..............Fri.-Sat. ............at Washington State Invite............. Pullman, Wash. .....................................All Day 9 .................Fri. ...................Washington .................................. Columbus, Ohio. .................................. 5 p.m. 16 ...............Fri. ....................at Southern California..................... Los Angeles, Calif....................................1 p.m. Dec. 30-2 ...........Fri.-Sun. .........Ohio State Invite .......................... Columbus, Ohio ................................ All Day Jan. 5 .................Sat. . ................Toledo ............................................ Columbus, Ohio ................................... 1 p.m. 11 ...............Fri. ...................Wright State ................................. Columbus, Ohio ................................... 5 p.m. 12 ...............Sat. ..................Kentucky ....................................... Columbus, Ohio .................................... 1p.m. 19 ...............Sat.. .................Michigan State/ EMU ................. Columbus, Ohio .................................. 5 p.m. 26 ...............Sat. ...................at Northwestern.............................. Evanston, Ill ..............................................1p.m. Feb. 1 .................Fri. ...................Michigan ....................................... Columbus, Ohio .................................... 5p.m. 21-23 .........Thu.-Sat. .........Big Ten Championships.............. Columbus, Ohio ................................ All Day Mar. 14-16 .........Fri.-Sun. ..........NCAA Diving Zones..................... Columbus, Ohio ................................ All Day 20-22 .........Thu.-Sat. .........NCAA Championships ................ Columbus, Ohio ................................ All Day All home meets (in bold) will be contested at the Bill and Mae McCorkle Aquatics Pavilion.
rachel borden
OHI O STATE WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING 2 0 0 7-08 3
O H I O S TAT E B U C K E Y E S
SEASON OUTLOOK
AT A GLANCE Ohio State women’s swimming coach Jeanne Fleck has high hopes for the 2007-08 season. Fleck enters her ninth year of coaching the Buckeyes eager to see what is in store for her young team. She anticipates a strong effort at the conference and national levels from her squad that is primarily made up of freshmen and sophomores, but is one that is supported by an upperclassmen base. “This is one of the best recruiting classes I’ve had and I feel really good about the season,” Fleck said. “I also believe that this is the fastest group of kids ever brought in at Ohio State. We have a handful of state champions and a Canadian superstar and that is very exciting. With the guidance of our upperclassmen, we will have a strong, young core that will help us make a push in the Big Ten Conference this year.” FREESTYLE The sprints will prove to be a test for the Buckeye squad, as they will rely on a young, but talented group in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events. Newcomer Maggie O’Brien is expected to have a big impact on the squad. O’Brien is a top four finisher in both sprint freestyle events in the state of Illinois and has qualified for the U.S. Open and Senior Nationals. Senior captain Linda LundKristiansen will provide leadership, while Maryann Wiser, Meg Noble and Leigh Hicks will be looked upon to add depth. Veterans to compete in the middle-distance events will be senior captain Annie Rennebohm and junior Stasia Von Rahl. Joining them will be rookies Samantha Cheverton, Anita Beck and Haley Mitchell. Beck won the Ohio state championship in both the 200 and 500 events. Cheverton is a Canadian standout who swam a personal best (4:19.98) in the 400-meter freestyle at the North American Challenge Cup this summer. Sophomore Haley Mitchell is coming off a 15th-place finish at the Big Ten Championships in the 500 freestyle and will add experience to the already deep event. Mitchell also will be looked to lead Ohio State in the 1,000 and 1,650 distances. Helping her will be Beck and Sarah Ratica.. BACKSTROKE The Buckeyes will showcase a strong returning swimmer in the backstroke events this season. Sophomore Jill Lockhart, who was turned into a backstroke swimmer last year, finished 10th in the 200-yard backstroke at the 2007 Big Ten Championships. She has qualified for the Senior Nationals and is very close to qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the event. “Jill Lockhart performed very well for us last season in the backstroke,” Fleck said. “She is still very fresh in the stroke and is a good and stable swimmer that will do great things for us this year.” Aiding her will be classmate Mary Ann Wiser and freshmen Samantha Cheverton and Chelsea Gillespie. The group is expected to contribute toward the team’s success. BREASTSTROKE The breaststroke will continue to be a strong event for the Scarlet and Gray. Leading the talented group are sophomores Colleen Schweitzer and Megan Alexander, along with junior Whitney Hackman. Schweitzer qualified for the Big Ten consolation finals last season and is in the running to qualify for the Olympic Trials in the 100-yard breaststroke. Alexander recorded a team-best time of 1:04.44 in the 100 breaststroke- last season. Fleck is confident in the two classmates and believes that they will compliment each other greatly in both the 100 and 200 events. Hackman will play a strong supporting role for the Buckeyes. Freshmen Katelyn Brix and Rachel Borden are expected to play huge roles for Ohio State this season as well. Borden was a 2005 U.S. representative in the Maccabiah Games in Israel and will compete in both the 100 and 200 events. BUTTERFLY The Buckeyes will look to fill the huge hole left by Griet Buelens. The senior, who participated in the NCAA Championships last season, is taking the year off to train in her country of Belgium in hopes of making her national Olympic team. Despite having to replace such a strong swimmer, Fleck is excited to see the progress of her young group and is certain they will make an impact on the team this year. Senior Linda Lund-Kristiansen and junior Courtney Brayman will be strong in the 100-yard butterfly, while Jill Lockhart will continue to do well in the 200 butterfly. Newcomers Anita Beck and Samantha Cheverton both have potential to do great things in the butterfly events, according to Fleck. Cheverton had a great summer in the fly and Fleck believes she will be amazing in both the 100 and 200 events. Beck is a strong swimmer who will add depth in the 200 butterfly. INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY The responsibility of the individual medley,an event that the Buckeye coahces are excited about this year, rests on the shoulders of Jill Lockhart and Linda Lund-Kristiansen. Lockhart swam a team-best time (2:05.48) time in the 200 individual medley last season and is working to become even better in the 400, as well. Lund-Kristiansen is back with the 200 individual medley after having an exceptional summer in the event. Adding to the 400 individual medley will be developing talents Katelyn Brix and Samantha Cheverton. 2007-08 SCHEDULE This year’s schedule is full of home-pool advantages. The women host seven of their nine dual meets at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion and close their season with both the Big Ten and NCAA Championships. The Buckeyes open with a home meet against Washington Nov. 9. The team will then hit the road for a match-up with USC in Los Angeles Nov. 16 before hosting the third annual Ohio State Invitational, Nov. 30-Dec. 2 Ohio State will host three dual meets in January before seeing its first Big Ten opponent Jan. 19 when Michigan State and Eastern Michigan come to Columbus for a double dual meet. The Buckeyes travels to Northwestern Jan. 26 before wrapping up the dual meet season at home against rival Michigan Feb 1. The McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion will also be home to the 2008 Big Ten and NCAA Championships, held Feb. 21-23 and March 20-22, respectively. “Both championships are such unique experiences,” said Fleck. “We are both excited and nervous about hosting, especially the NCAA. That meet is the fastest meet in the world, depth wise. Many records will be broken and it is exciting to think that we will be a part of that. We hope that this experience will be a great one for our team.”
4 OHIO S TAT E WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING 2007-08
07-08
O H I O S TAT E B U C K E Y E S
2007-08 WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING ROSTER
Name ....................................... Events .............. Cl. ............. Hometown .......................................................High School Megan Alexander .................... BR ..................... So. ............ Columbus, Ohio ..................................Worthington-Kilbourne Bianca Alvarez ......................... DV ..................... Fr. .............. Miami, Florida .................................................. Miami Sunset Kristen Asman .......................... DV ..................... Fr. .............. Columbus, Ohio ......................................................Fort Hayes Anita Beck ................................ FR/FL ................. Fr. .............. Cincinnati, Ohio ....................................................... Anderson Katie Bell .................................. DV ..................... So. ............ Columbus, Ohio .......................................................... Graham Farriss Blaskovits ..................... FR/FL ................. So. ............ Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario ......................... Mother Teresa Rachel Borden .......................... BR ..................... Fr. .............. Shaker Heights, Ohio ..................................................Hawken Courtney Brayman .................... FL ...................... Jr. .............. Pittsford, New York .....................................Pittsford Mendon Katelyn Brix .............................. IM/BR ............... Fr. .............. Brentwood, California ..................................................Liberty Samantha Cheverton ............... FR/BK/IM .......... Fr. .............. Lachine, Quebec ...........................Queen of Angels Academy Katie Chute .............................. FR ...................... So. ............ Cincinnati, Ohio ....................................................... Anderson Chelsea Davis .......................... DV ..................... Jr. .............. Columbus, Ohio ..................................Worthington-Kilbourne Chelsea Gillespie ..................... BK ..................... Fr. .............. Sarasota, Florida .....................................................Riverview Shelby Gordon .......................... FR ...................... Fr. .............. Maumee, Ohio .......................................................... Maumee Heike Gutwein ......................... BR ..................... Fr. .............. Rensselaer, Indiana .................................. Rensselaer Central Whitney Hackman .................... BR ..................... Jr. .............. Goshen, Indiana ..................................................... Northridge Leigh Hicks ............................... FR ...................... Fr. .............. Cincinnati, Ohio ....................................................... Anderson Jill Lockhart .............................. BK/IM ............... So. ............ Muncie, Indiana ........................................................Yorktown Linda Lund-Kristiansen ............ FR/FL ................. Sr. ............. Roennede, Denmark .................................Hasley Gymnasium Morgan Menzie ........................ FR ...................... Fr. .............. Katy, Texas ...........................................................Cinco Ranch Haley Mitchell .......................... FR ...................... So. ............ Walled Lake, Michigan.........................Walled Lake Western Meg Noble ............................... FR ...................... So. ............ Novi, Michigan ..............................................................Mercy Maggie O’Brien ........................ FR ...................... Fr. .............. Northbrook, Illinois ....................................... Glenbrook North Sarah Ratica ............................. FR ...................... So. ............ Solon, Ohio .....................................................................Solon Annie Rennebohm .................... FR ...................... Sr. ............. Worthington, Ohio ...................................................... Thomas Cameron Russell ...................... FR ...................... So. ............ Avon Lake, Ohio ................................. Maryville/Florida State Colleen Schweitzer .................. BR ..................... So. ............ Highlands Ranch, Colorado ..........................Highlands Ranch Anastasia von Rahl .................. FR ...................... Jr. .............. Mishawaka, Indiana ........................................ Saint Joseph’s Mary Ann Wiser ....................... FR ...................... So. ............ Greenwood, Indiana ..........................Greenwood Community
linda lund-kristiansen
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
annie rennebohm
Farris Blaskovits: blas-KO-vits Jeanne Fleck: JEAN FLECK Heike Gutwein: HI-kee GUT-wine Vince Panzano: pan-ZAN-oh
Sarah Ratica: RAH-ti-kuh Annie Rennebohm: REN-eh-bome Colleen Schweitzer: sh-WHITE-zer Anastasia von Rahl: on-uh-STAY-zha von RALL
DIVING OUTLOOK
Ohio State will feature a strong diving team once again this year. Diving Coach Vince Panzano begins his 28th season and looks forward to the return of two competitive veterans and the addition of two extremely talented freshmen. “The women are going to be a group that will have a great experience and do very well this year,” said Panzano. “With Ohio State hosting both the Big Ten and the NCAA championships this season, we want them to all have great performances so that they can make some noise in those meets.” Leading the group is junior Chelsea Davis. Davis is a strong competitor who transferred to Ohio State from Northwestern after the 2005-06 season, a year in which she was the Big Ten champion on the 3-meter board. Davis was also a member of the 2005 U.S. World Championship team. Sophomore Katie Bell, one of the top platform divers in the conference, will redshirt this season. In 2006, she earned the bronze medal in the U.S. Open Diving meet on the 10-meter platform and placed fourth at the Senior Diving Championships in the same event that year. Joining the veterans are newcomers Bianca Alvarez and Kristin Asman. Alvarez was a member of the 2006 Junior World Team and finished sixth at the Junior World Championships the same year. She owns five Junior National titles and is a two-time Florida state champion. Asman was a finals participant at the Senior National Diving Championships and will be valuable asset to the team this season. With the 2007-08 season being an Olympic trial year, the Buckeyes will be well represented at the event. Alvarez has already qualified in the 3-meter and Panzano believes that by the end of PRONUNCIATION GUIDE the season, all four women will be competing to represent the U.S. in the 2008 Olympics.
chelsea davis
OHI O STATE WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING 2 0 0 7-08 5