Butler Swimming Teams Boast Strong Individual Performances

Feb. 4, 2003

BUSY BULLDOGS: The Butler men's and women's swimming teams had a busy weekend as they competed in a pair of dual meets at the IUPUI Natatorium. The Butler men's team lost to Vincennes (56-37) and the host Jaguars (73-21) on Friday evening and then fell to Xavier (71-23) and Saint Louis (79-31) on Saturday. The women's team lost by a slim 49-46 margin to their crosstown rival, IUPUI, and then were defeated by Xavier (75-19) and Saint Louis (66.5-43.5) the following evening.

QUOTING ELLIS: "Friday night's meet against IUPUI was great," said first year head coach Nichole Ellis. "We really had faith in what we could do and we swam the meet like champions. Because we only have 10 women and 6 men who compete, teams like IUPUI with full rosters of 18 or more per squad really have an advantage. We just did not have the depth. But, losing to the IUPUI women by only three points on the women's side is a win for us. This meet, even though a loss, only signifies what we have believed all year...when you love what you do and you race with heart and purpose, it will come. I just can't wait for our program to have the numbers."

SEASON BEST: Sophomore Jesse Levknecht set two new season bests over the weekend. Levknecht's season-best of 1:00.48 in the 100 Butterfly earned her a first place finish against IUPUI on Friday. She was also on the 200 Medley Relay team which place first with a season-best time of 1:55.13. Amber Gault, Cherri Mosher and Catie Scott were also members of that relay team. Levknecht also recorded a personal-best time of 2:13.27 in the 200 Butterfly against Xavier and Saint Louis, which gave her a second place finish.

OFF TO THE RACES: Carlton Racette recorded three personal-best times over the weekend. The standout sophomore's time of 1:04.25 in the 100 Breaststroke against IUPUI and Vincennes gave him a second place finish. The following day, against Xavier and Saint Louis, Racette's personal-best time of 2:00.03 earned him a third place finish and he also placed fourth in the 500 Freestyle in a season-best time of 4:59.16.

TOPPING THE CHARTS: Jesse Levknecht and Carlton Racette weren't the only two swimmers to record season-bests over the weekend. Amber Gault recorded a pair of season-bests against IUPUI, placing first in the 200 IM with a time of 2:17.58 and second in the 100 Breaststroke in a time of 1:11.88. Lauren Tyler placed fourth in 100 Breaststroke (1:14.46) on Friday and fifth in the 200 Breaststroke (2:44.04) Saturday and Catie Scott's second place finish in the 500 Freestyle (5:24.17) was also a season-best. On the mens' side, John Allen, Patrick McKenny and Brendan Van Cleve all recorded season-bests. Allen swam the 50 Freestyle in 22.95, the 100 Breaststroke in 1:04.31 and the 200 Breaststroke in 2:26.07. McKenney's time of 1:53.34 in the 200 Freestyle and 50.80 in the 100 Freestyle on Saturday were season-bests and Brendan Van Cleve tallied season-bests in the 200 Backstroke (2:02.62) and the 100 Backstroke (55.84).

OTHER NOTABLES: Catie Scott placed first in the 200 Freestyle in a time of 2:01.06 on Friday evening and 50 Freestyle on Saturday with a time of 25.59...Kristen France placed third in the 100 Freestyle in a time of 58.28... Tara Wetzel placed second in the 200 Freestyle on Friday evening in a time of 2:04.91... Cherri Mosher took home a second-place finish in the 200 IM (2:18.09) against IUPUI ... Liz Klueh placed second in the 500 Freestyle (5:34.15) against the Jaguars...Carlo Girolamo finished second in the 100 Freestyle (49.81) on Saturday... Brendan Van Cleve placed second in the 200 Freestyle (1:49.34) and the 100 Backstroke (55.84) against IUPUI.

ON THE HORIZON: The Bulldogs will take a week off to prepare for the Horizon League Championships on Feb. 25-Mar. 1. The Championships are hosted by Cleveland State.