Marshall University Athletics
Nilsson Wins Freestyle on Day One of MAC Championships
8/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Feb. 24, 2005
ATHENS, Ohio - Senior Erika Nilsson (Haninge, Sweden) captured the top spot and set a new school record in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:52.95 to lead all Marshall swimmers on the first day of the Mid-American Conference Championships.
"Erika swam a brilliant race," said Marshall University Head Coach Leonard Kraus. "It was an amazing race, one of the best I've ever seen. She was able to win over a group of great swimmers."
Fellow Herd distance swimmer Renee Lambert (Morrelville, Tenn.) also had an impressive showing in the 500-yard freestyle, placing 10th with a time of 5:03.06.
Junior, Milla Kuurto (Lohja, Finland) swam to a second place finish in the 200-yard individual medley (2:03.69). Cara Davison (Chesterton, Ind.) also added points for the Herd finishing fifth in the 50-yard freestyle (24.07).
The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Kuurto, Lambert, Davison and Emily Edmonson (Chattanooga, Tenn.) had a fourth place finish in a time of 1:35.41.
Marshall is in seventh place with a score of 112 going into the second day of competition. The Thundering Herd is expected to put up strong times tomorrow with Kuurto swimming the 100-yard butterfly and Nilsson and Lambert in the 200-yard freestyle.
"We're excited about the events that are remaining," said Kraus. "We have some great races tomorrow. The team really seemed into it tonight and we have some great momentum going into the second day."
Team Standings After Day One
Miami 163 Ohio 146.50 E. Michigan 140 Toledo 134.50 Bowling Green 132 Ball State 119 Marshall 112 Akron 96 Buffalo 85
Day two competition is set to being at 11:30 a.m. with the first session. The second session will begin at 6:30 p.m.
