Friday, December 16, 2005

Three Crusaders took home first place finishes, but Florida Southern's balanced group outscored Valpo, taking home a 129-70 win at Friday's dual meet in Lakeland, Fla.

Junior Katie Jajtner (Port Washington, Wis./Port Washington) posted the -fastest 1000 freestyle time of the season for the Cruasders, swimming in 11:46.62, giving her a first place finish in the event. Jajtner's time was nearly 20 seconds faster than any other Crusader had swam this year.

Joining Jajtner with an event win was classmate Amanda Gregory (Carmel, Ind./Carmel), who took home the 200 freestyle crown with a time of 2:03.38, and freshman Tina Vande Vusse (Des Plaines, Ill./Maine West). Vande Vusse finished the 50 freestyle in 25.57 seconds, a full second and a half faster than the second place finisher.

The Crusaders also captured first place in the 200 medley relay, with freshmen Heather Dueball (Des Plaines, Ill./Maine West), Leah Parker (Cleburne, Texas/Cleburne), Vande Vusse, and Katy Eelma (Bloomington, Ind./North) finishing in 1:59.66.

Valpo returns to action after the holiday season, swimming at Illinois-Chicago January 6 at 5:00 p.m. The Crusaders open their home season January 20 at 6:00 p.m. when they take on Cleveland State.