Trailing by 40 points to Minnesota, who Indiana Coach Ray Looze called the "favorites" before the start of the Big Ten Championships, Looze said the Hoosiers are in good position with one final day left in competition.
After starting Friday in third place behind the Gophers and Ohio State, the Hoosiers passed the Buckeyes and are currently in second place with 416 points, heading into the last day of the Big Ten Women's Swimming and Diving Championships.
The Hoosiers' effort was spearheaded by senior swimmer Allysa Vavra, who set yet another Big Ten record Friday night, this time in the 400 yard Individual Medley. Following Thursday night's Big Ten record in the 200 yard IM with a time of 1:55.44, Vavra posted a career-best 4:01.41 in the 400 IM finals tonight, her second title of the meet. Vavra's time is one of the biggest feats of her career, as she broke the previous conference (and school) record by nearly three seconds, posted the third-fastest time in all of collegiate swimming this season and also finished over ten seconds faster than any other swimmer in the race. In fact, Vavra's 4:01.41 time was so dominant that it was the 15th fastest time in the event ever.
Other strong performances by IU Thursday night included senior Gabby Agostino's third place finish in the 3-meter dive (355.70), a second place finish in the 100 yard freestyle by senior Brittany Strumbel (1:45.96) and a second place effort in the 100 yard backstroke by freshman Justine Ress (53.02). The Hoosiers also finished fifth in the 400 yard medley relay (3:34.61), swam by senior Margaux Farrell, junior Ashley Specht, sophomore Brenna MacLean and Ress. Despite the fifth place finish, the team posted the fourth fastest time ever in Indiana history, as the Hoosiers continued the record-setting meet.
IU's women's swimming and diving team will return to the pool for the final time come Saturday, for the final day of competition at the Big Ten Championships. With seven events on the line (1650 free, 200 back, 200 breast, 200 fly, 100 free, 400 free relay and Platform Dive), the Hoosiers will have ample opportunities to complete the 40-point comeback and earn its fourth consecutive Big Ten championship. Whether that happens though, is yet to be told, as the end of the story nears completion.
