Van Rooijen Named BIG EAST Most Outstanding Women's Swimmer

Uniondale, N.Y. – Manon van Rooijen was named the BIG EAST Most OutstandingSwimmer after her performance at the BIG EAST Swimming and Diving Championshipsin Uniondale, New York this weekend.

The sophomore from Westdorpe, Holland won three individual events and one relaywhile breaking three BIG EAST Championship records in the process. Van Rooijennow holds five school records including two individual and three relay marks.

Van Rooijen won the 100-yard freestyle in 49.11 seconds. The mark breaks her oldBIG EAST and school record time of 49.88 seconds set on November 30th, 2001 atthe U.S. Open. Megan Kinsella (Calgary, Canada) finished 15th with a 52.1, ErinJohns (Saltsburg, Pa.) dropped over 2 seconds and placed 11th in 51.6 and ChristineWilliams (Trenton, N.J.) placed 5th with a 50.6.

“Manon took the event out first, unlike her 200 free and really acceleratedher stroke to finish in the record time,” said head swimming coach JamesSweeney. “Manon had a tremendous meet. She was our MVP and led our team thisweekend.”

In the 200-yard freestyle, van Rooijen powered to first place in 1:46.48 — againbreaking her old BIG EAST and school record of 1:47.29 set at the Open last fall.She also won the 200-yard IM in 2:02.37.

The UM women’s relay team won the 400-yard freestyle in 3:20.86 — shatteringVirginia Tech’s old BIG EAST record (3:25.20 – 2001) by a full 4.34 seconds. ChristineWilliams, Erin Johns, Megan Kinsella and van Rooijen gave Miami its first relayvictory since 1996.

“It was another tremendous effort as the women really wanted to win thisrace,” said Sweeney. “The team completed an outstanding night. We havenot won a relay since 1996 so this was a tremendous achievement for our youngteam.”

Miami set three school records in the relays at the meet including the 200-yardfreestyle (1:33.41), 400 Medley (3:47.27) and the 400 free (3:20.86).

Freshman Katalin Ferenzci (Papa, Hungary) broke the school record in the 200-yardbackstroke with a time of 2:01.77. Freshman Tammy Watts (Centennial, Colo.) shaved13 seconds off her time to finish in 2:02.05.

In the women’s 200-yard breaststroke, sophomore Courtney Caples (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)swam to a 12th place finish with a 2:20.97.

In the 200 fly, freshman Kristy MacLennan (Toronto, Canada) finished 9th winningthe consolation heat with an NCAA B qualifying time of 2:01.86. Elaine Schwartzfinished a close 4th with a personal best 2:01.78 — also an NCAA B qualifyingtime.

The Hurricanes finished the conference meet in third place on the women’s sidewith 488 points and in ninth place for the men with 201 points.

“From the start to finish of the competition, everyone rallied around eachother,” said Sweeney. “It was very exciting to be a part of it. Theyall worked so hard this year and it all payed off this weekend.”

For complete meet results, please visit:
http://www.bigeast.org/sports/swimming/

For the latest information on Miami Swimming & Diving visit the UM athleticswebsite at HurricaneSports.com.

Miami 2002 BIG EAST Championship Superlatives