Swim/Dive Wrap Up Day One of Women's Big Ten Championships

Strickler sets new school record in the 200 freestyle.

Junior Summer Strickler broke the school record in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:49.97.

Feb. 20, 2013

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Junior Summer Strickler made Michigan State swimming and diving history as the Spartans concluded the first day of competition at the 2013 Big Ten Women’s Championships on Wednesday, Feb. 20 in Minneapolis, Minn. After two events, MSU is currently 11th in the team standings with 22 points.

“We did about what we expected tonight,” said head coach Matt Gianiodis. “Summer Strickler became the first person in school history to go under 1:50 in the 200 freestyle, so that’s really cool. We also just missed our season best in the 200 medley relay. So, all in all, it was a pretty good start for us.”

Strickler led off the 800 freestyle relay, becoming the first swimmer in MSU history to post time of 1:49.97. Along with sophomore Hannah Pugh, freshman Betsy Good and senior Alexandra Pierce, the relay team finished 12th with a time of 7:30.69.

The 200 medley relay was less than a second away from clocking a season-best time as the team of senior Lauren Baisden, freshman Michelle Garland, senior Jenny Rusch and junior Brooke Telander placed 11th with at time of 1:41.66.

The competition will continue tomorrow with prelims scheduled for 11 a.m. CT and finals to be held at 6:30 p.m. CT. The schedule of events include the 500 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle and 1-meter diving.