Panthers Fall At South Dakota, 142-97

Saturday, October 27

Vermillion, S.D.

10:00 AM

University of Northern Iowa

142

South Dakota

Panthers Fall At South Dakota, 142-97

10/27/2007 8:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving

By: UNI Athletics Communications

Oct. 27, 2007

Final Stats

Vermillion, S.D. - The University of Northern Iowa swimmers dropped their first road test of the year Saturday, losing 142-97 to the Coyotes of South Dakota. The Panthers won four events, two of which were claimed by freshman Josie Itzen (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls).

Itzen conquered the 200-meter IM in a time of 2:29.45, almost four seconds ahead of her next opponent. She then returned three events later to pick up a win in the 100-meter freestyle event in a time of 1:00.97.

Itzen wasn't finished just yet, however. As well as winning the two individual events, she teamed up with sophomores Amanda Firman (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls), Abby Girard (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls) and Maggie Rickert (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Hudson) to bring home first-place in the 400-meter free relay. This helped the Panthers finish first, second and third in this event.

The final Panther victory came in the 200-meter backstroke event. Sophomore Abby Girard dominated the race, finishing in a time of 2:23.00, faster than her competition. Junior teammate Abby Moes (Sioux City, Iowa/East) finished third in this event with a time of 2:29.58.

As well as being a part of the winning 400 free relay team, Firman brought home a second-place finish in the 50-meter freestyle event. She finished just in front of teammates Rickert and Caitlin Krengel (West Chicago, Ill./West Chicago) to bring home second, third and fourth for the Panthers in the event.

Panther distance swimmer Kelly McCullough (Spencer, Iowa/Spencer) picked up a second and third place finish on Saturday. McCullough finished second in the 200-meter butterfly and third in the 800-meter freestyle events.

The Panthers will now have a week off to prepare for a double-duel scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10. The Panthers will swim against South Dakota State at 9 a.m. and again at 2 p.m, against Northern Colorado.