EAST LANSING — Although most Michigan teams would be
ecstatic after defeating Michigan State, the No. 16 Michigan
women’s swimming and diving squad was rather placid after its
159-133 victory over Michigan State last night at Charles McCaffree
Pool.

“It was a good win for the middle of the week,”
sophomore Susan Gilliam said. “And it’s always good to
get a win in the Big Ten.”

The score may not fully show it, but Michigan (1-0 Big Ten, 1-1
overall) dominated the meet en route to its first victory of the
season, taking first place in every event except the backstroke and
diving events. Towards the end of the meet, Michigan coach Jim
Richardson began to swim his team as nonscoring competitors to keep
the score a bit closer.

The Michigan team was led by sophomore Kaitlyn Brady, who took
first place in the 100-yard backstroke (57.33), 200-yard backstroke
(2:03.31) and 100-yard butterfly (57.20). Brady also assisted the
Wolverines as a member of both the first- place 200-medley and
200-yard freestyle relays.

“It’s exciting to beat Michigan State, but we work
just as hard as any other meet,” Brady said.

Gilliam won two events for the Wolverines, placing first in both
the 1,000-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle. Her time of
9:52.62 in the 1,000-yard freestyle set the new McCaffree pool
record, held previously by Michigan’s Amy McCullough with her
2002 time of 10:00.97.

“It’s a good first meet to get the ball
rolling,” Gilliam said. “And it’s always nice to
set a record.”

Sophomore Lindsey Smith took first in both the 200-yard
freestyle and 100-yard freestyle. The Wolverines were also aided by
fifth year senior Erica Watts, who won the 200-yard butterfly and
senior Tracy Egnatuk, who won the 50-yard freestyle. Freshman
Justine Meuller won the 400-yard individual medley, although by
that time, she was swimming as a nonscoring competitor.

Despite this seemingly perfect effort, Richardson felt the team
still has quite a bit of work to do.

“I don’t think we’re a good team yet,”
said Richardson. “I worry less about wins and losses as I do
about preparation.”

Richardson felt that there were some high points in the meet
— such as Gilliam breaking the pool record and the
performances of Brady and Smith — but still feels Michigan
did not perform its best.

“I don’t think our walls or turns were good,”
Richardson said. “It’s something we need to work
on.”

His main concern is that many of the freshman Wolverines are not
ready to handle the physical work that the swimming team demands.
He said the team may not have performed up to its potential because
it is not use to the tough practice schedule.

“They’re about two months away from being physically
the swimmers they can be,” Richardson said. “Monday and
Tuesday were excellent practices, but yesterday we had a very hard
dry land (practice) and many of the girls were sore and
tired.”

Richardson did say he was pleased with how the hard work in
practice and that he expects big things if the team keeps it up. He
feels that if the team continues to work at this pace, by January,
it will be performing at the highest level.

Despite some disappointment, he said he is glad the team got to
beat Michigan State as he feels the competition between the two
schools is very beneficial.

“There isn’t anybody you enjoy competing with more
than your close friend,” Richardson said. “It’s
fun but you still want to get your hand out and touch the wall
first.”