Michigan State Rolls Over Ball State
EAST LANSING, Mich., Dec. 9. AN early lead helped the Michigan State swimming and diving teams overcome Ball State Saturday afternoon in East Lansing. The women won the meet 146 to 95, while the men scored 135 against the Cardinals' 108.
The Spartans jumped to an early lead within the first ten events of the afternoon. The 200 medley relay of Kate Duncombe (Erie, Pa.), Deb O'Neil (Chalfont, Pa.), Ildiko Szekely (Budapest, Hungary), and Jessica Brutz (Johnstown, Pa.), finished first with a time of 1:48.09. Szekely was a very influential swimmer for the Spartans, also placing first in the 200 individual medley (2:06.40), and the 200 butterfly (2:03.60). In addition to the strong swimming performances, divers Carly Weiden (Kentwood, Mich.), Summer Mitchell (Troy, Mich.), and Stephanie Anisko (Mississauga, Ontario), finished first, second and third in the one-meter dives.
The Spartan men had a strong start as well. The 200 medley relay team of Alex Ebner (Okemos, Mich.), Lars Neubauer (Meerbusch, Germany), Chad Ganden (Lisle, Ill.) and Joel Hageman (Fort Wayne, Ind.) took first with a time of 1:35.90. Individually, John Munley (Kalamazoo, Mich.) proved to be an important swimmer for the Spartans, placing first in the 100 freestyle (46.64), and the 200 free (1:40.12).
Head coach Jim Lutz noted the early lead for the Spartans, stating "our game plan was to jump on this meet early and sustain it throughout the meet, which we did. We had a lot of nice swims today, and I think we're gaining confidence because of it."