Women's swimming and diving captures team title at Chicago Invitational

The Olivet College women's swimming and diving team captured the team title at the University of Chicago Invitational held Jan. 13-14 at the Myers-McLoraine Pool in Chicago. In the seven-team field, Olivet tallied 1,167.5 points to finish 258.5 points ahead of the host Maroons.

The Comets recorded five first-place finishes and 10 runner-up finishes. Leading the way was senior Jill Lingbeek (Plainwell), who won two individual events and swam a leg of two winning relays. She took first in the 100-yard butterfly (1:01.02) and 100-yard backstroke (1:02.25). Lingbeek swam a leg of the winning 200-yard medley relay (1:55.71) and 400-yard freestyle relay (3:43.29). In addition, she was second in the 200-yard backstroke (2:15.45) and swam on two second-place relays, 200-yard freestyle (1:42.54) and 400-yard medley (4:12.44).

The last first-place finish was by freshman Erin Tramper (Jenison) in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:33.09). The other swimmers on the 200 medley relay were Tramper and freshmen Amy Johnson (Gaylord) and Kalee Redder (Grandville/Jenison). The 400 freestyle relay was Johnson, Lingbeek, Redder and junior Laura Herzog (St. Joseph).

Redder was second in three individual events – 50-yard freestyle (:25.49), 100-yard backstroke (1:04.14) and 100-yard freestyle (:55.86). Sophomore Courtney Mich (Bay City/Western) recorded second-place finishes on both the one- and three-meter diving boards with scores of 326.95 and 296.15 points, respectively. Also placing second were Herzog in the 200-yard freestyle (2:03.07) and Tramper in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:11.54).

The 200-yard freestyle and 400-yard medley relays touched the wall with second-place finishes. Johnson, Lingbeek, Redder and freshman Kelly Schulze (Kalamazoo/Central) swam the 200 free relay (1:42.54). Herzog, Lingbeek, Tramper and junior Katherine Roesch (Oakland Twp./Lake Orion) were on the 400 medley relay (4:12.44).

The Comets resume Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association action Saturday, Jan. 21, when they host Alma College at 1 p.m.