wheaton dominates by winning 18 of 19 events en route to eighth straight title

WHEATON, Illinois – In one of the most dominant performances in league history, Wheaton destroyed the field to win the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin by nearly doubling up the point total of runner-up Carthage. The Thunder won 18 of the 19 events, scoring a total of 803 points and were never really challenged in winning its eighth consecutive championship. Carthage was second with 488 while Illinois Wesleyan (329), Augustana (178), Millikin (167) and North Central (163) rounded out the field.

Becky Bird won the two longest events, the 500 in 5:04.34 and the 1650 in 17:24.84 and she was named the Most Valuable Performer in the meet. Katherine Burt was a double winner in the 50 (:24.55) and 100 (:53.13) freestyle as was Grace Johnson in the 200 individual medley (2:10.50) and the 100 butterfly (:58.46).

Another double winner was Katlin Marko, who took first in the 400 individual medley in 4:38.08 and the 200 butterfly in 2:07.12. Aimee Adams won the 200 freestyle in 1:55.69 with Marie Ballenger taking the 100 breaststroke in 1:07.68. Kaley Vincent claimed the 200 backstroke in 2:11.12 and Amanda Wells won the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:27.12.

Wells, Fawn Yankoski, Burt and Adams combined to win the 200 freestyle relay in 1:38.26 with Burt, Ballenger, Johnson and Adams winning the 400 medley relay in 4:02.00. The 200 medley relay was claimed by the foursome of Burt, Stephanie Gibson, Leah Holt and Aimee Adams in a time of 1:50.66. The 800 freestyle relay team of Johnson, Marko, Yankoski and Adams won in 7:47.26 and the 400 freestyle relay of Veronica Seger, Yankoski, Burt and Jenna Sveen closed out the meet with a 3:34.76 victory.

If not for Tricia Biedron of Carthage, who won the 100 backstroke in 1:00.84, Wheaton would have swept every event. Sue Nutty of Carthage claimed “Coach of the Year”.

INDIVIDUAL WINNERS

MOST VALUABLE SWIMMER: Becky Bird, Wheaton
COACH OF THE YEAR: Sue Nutty, Carthage