Alma edges Saint Mary's in final event of meet
By JANEL MILLER
Sports Writer
Saint Mary's swimming and diving team got an early start to the semester on Jan. 16 when the Belles faced off against Alma College at Rolfs Aquatic Center.
Alma got the best of the Belles, however, taking the meet 116-115.
"They swam really well," said head coach Gretchen Hildebrandt. "The times accomplished by these women who were tired and broken down are absolutely remarkable."
The Belles spent their break training in Florida where they couldn't escape the cold weather with 37 degree mornings, frost and chilly breezes.
"It was ironic to find out that it would have been warmer some mornings to swim in South Bend," said Hildebrandt. "But the women remained very positive and worked extremely hard."
Despite being sore and fatigued from their intense training over break, the Belles stood strong against a team that beat them in 2000 by more than 60 points.
The meet came down to the final event the 200-yard freestyle relay. Saint Mary's grasped the first, however, Alma's second and third place finishes put them ahead of the Belles.
"It was a great meet," said Hildebrandt. "We swam right with them in every event."
The Belles pulled another five first place finishes. Maureen Palchak captured the 50 freestyle after finishing third in the 200 freestyle moments before. Elizabeth Doro, joined her by taking the second place spot. The Belles then finished first, second and third in the 100 freestyle with co-captain Colleen Sullivan taking first with a time of 57.63 seconds, followed by Doro (59.02) and Chloe Lenihan (1:002.24).
Meghan Ramsey helped the team with her top finishes in the 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle. Diver Ryann Cox and many swimmers set many personal and season best times.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, January 23, 2001
