Saturday, January 24, 2004

Valparaiso dropped its final home meet of the season on Saturday afternoon, falling 141-98 at the Athletics-Recreation Center pool.

The Crusaders started the meet out strong, winning the opening 200 medley relay. Lauren Bambach (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman H.S.), Sarah Deardorff (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove H.S.), Katie Urbas (Ballwin, Mo./Marquette H.S.), and Leah Schneider (Sussex, Wis./Arrowhead H.S.) touched the wall in a time of 1:55.74, more than five seconds ahead of the Panthers.

Two events later, Britt Nelson (Cortland, N.Y./Homer H.S.) notched another Crusader victory, doing so in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:01.37 to keep the Brown and Gold in front.

Eastern Illinois would win the next three events though, to forge in front before Urbas posted a convincing win in the 100 butterfly. The senior finished with a time of 1:02.23, more than a second and a half in front.

The Panthers answered with four more event wins to take a commanding lead, but Alison Clark (Shorewood, Wis./Shorewood H.S.) notched one last Valpo victory on the afternoon. The freshman won the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:12.52, just .04 seconds in front of Deardorff to help the Crusaders sweep the event.

Valpo (2-6) will return to action on February 7, as the Brown and Gold travels to Chicago, Ill. for a 1 p.m. meet with Illinois-Chicago and Cleveland State.