Swimming & Diving

Jan. 19, 2012

OSU Video Preview

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's swimming and diving team closes out their home season by hosting a dual with the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday, Jan. 20. Action will begin at 5 p.m. at the McCaffree Pool in IM West. The evening also marks the final home meet for nine Spartan seniors.

The women's Spartan senior class includes, Ashley Borgman, Sarah Clay, Samantha Hilk, Jordan Jackson, Laura Leslie, Tori Merritt, Morgan Piasecki, Brooke Sauchak, and Kerry Sodonis.

Both the Spartan men and women will then make a quick turn around and head to Notre Dame the following day to compete against the Irish squad at Rolfs Aquatic Center at 2 p.m.

Last Year vs. Ohio State
Earlier this season MSU competed at the three-day Ohio State Invite in Columbus. The Spartans faced off against the Buckeyes, along with Purdue, Penn State and Notre Dame on the women's side. The Buckeyes took first out of all five teams.

Kerry Sodonis was the Spartans' top performer, taking home a sixth-place finish in the 200 breaststroke and breaking the varsity Spartan record set back in 1997 with a time of 2:17.90.

MSU also met up with the Buckeyes last year, traveling to Columbus for a co-ed dual meet in the 2010-11 season. Despite picking up five first-place finishes that today, the Spartans dropped the dual, 131-114.

Last Year vs. Notre Dame
The women's team did not compete against the Fighting Irish last year, however the men's team picked up a home victory, posting a 155.5 to 144.5 score. The Spartans were led by then freshman Bryan Williams in the freestyle events, winning both the 100-yard and 200-yard races. Jacob Jarzen also picked up two first-place individual finishes in the 100 and 200-yard backstrokes.

Conference Kudos
The Spartans have picked up a total of seven weekly Big Ten awards this season. Senior diver Sarah Clay tabbed with the honor the week of Nov. 22nd after helping lead the Spartans to a win over St. Bonaventure on Nov. 18. Thus far this season, Clay has recorded three first-place finishes on the 1-meter board and four on the 3-meter board.

MSU swept the Big Ten weekly honors during the week of Dec. 14. Five Spartans picked up six awards, for their performances against Ball State. The Green and White picked up both men's and women's Swimmer and Diver of the Week as well as the newly instated Freshman of the Week accolade. Those honored include: sophomores Bryan Williams, senior Brian Akers, freshman Hunter Bartlett, junior Jenny Rusch, and freshman Alison Menzies.

Community Activists
Members of the Michigan State swimming and diving team lent their support to the community by volunteering at the Lansing Salvation Army on Friday (Dec. 16). In conjunction with the Salvation Army and the Toys for Tots program, the Spartans helped sort toys and escort families who were picking up items for the holiday season.

Up Next
Following the weekend's back-to-back action, the Spartan women's team returns to the water on Friday, Jan. 27 to take on in-state rival Michigan in Ann Arbor. The men's team will take a two-week break from competition and face-off against the Wolverines on Saturday, Feb. 4, also in Ann Arbor.

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