Women's Swim & Dive Splits With ECU, William & Mary

Courtesy: Peyton Williams/NC State Jennifer Kopenitz

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The NC State women’s swimming and diving team opened its 2007-08 season by splitting two contests against East Carolina and William & Mary on Saturday, Oct. 20, in Greenville, N.C. The Pack topped the Tribe (194-106), but fell to the Pirates (174-124). The team now stands at 1-1 on the young season.

Erica Smith, Jess Ward, Patrice Dason and Lucy Lindsey finished second in the 200- medley relay with a 1:47.96 to start things off. Dason, Ashley Richter, Amanda Panty and Lindsey later wrapped up the night with a second-place showing in the 200-free relay with a 1:37.84.

Anna Linkenauger took first in the 1000-free with a 10:22.51 time, while Maresa Like-Matthews finished third on a 10:30.98. Linkenauger also finished third in the 500-free (5:07.53), while Lucy Lindsey placed fifth (5:10.37). Lindsey (1:55.56) and Brianna Grover (1:55.71) finished fourth and fifth respectively in the 200-free.

Grover (56.62) later picked up another top-five finish, placing second in the 100-butterfly, while Dason took third with a 58.55.

Ward gave a sterling performance in the breaststroke, winning the 200 with a 2:21.65 and taking second in the 100 with a 1:06.52.

The Pack took three of the top four spots in the 100-backstroke, with Smith (59.50) placing second, and Allison Hagan (59.74) and Panty (1:00.18) following closely behind.

Jennifer Kopenitz won the 200-backstroke (2:04.01). Kopenitz (2:05.89) and Kathryn Pegg (2:10.02) then took second and third in the 200-butterfly.

Kopenitz (2:07.28), Linkenauger (2:08.22) and Ward (2:12.08) placed second, third and fifth respectively in the 200-IM.

In all, Linkenauger finished in the top-three during all three times she took to the pool. Kopenitz grabbed a first-place finish and two second-place nods, while Ward grabbed top-five finishes in each of her three individual events.

In diving action, Kristin Davies took second in the 1-meter on a 241.30, while Chelsea Ale came in third (237.55). The red and white divers switched finishes in the 3-meter, as Ale took second (283.10) and Davies finished third (253.75). Ale's score met a qualifier for the NCAA zone championships.

NC State will return to work next Friday, Oct. 26, at Casey Natatorium on the NC State campus. The Pack will face Campbell and Duke beginning at 5 p.m.