1he Big Event T
hroughout the regular season the the middle of the race. women's swim team was eagerly "She took it out slow. Her last 100 yards awaiting the big event- the AIAW Na· were her best," said DeMeyer. tiona! Swimming and Diving Championships At the end of the first round Idaho held planned for the Ul Swim Center in March. seventh place with 89 points. Bechtholdt didn't slow down after her vic· Since 1972, the Vandal women have excelled in national competition, and this year tory in the 500-yard freestyle, but instead, would be no exception. finished her collegiate swimming career by In 1981 Idaho placed fifth at nationals winning every event in championship comagainst 64 teams, and this year Coach . petition - for the fourth year in a row. DeMeyer and his squad were looking to do Her victory in the 200 yard freestyle set a better, and the odds looked good. new Division II record of 1:52.74. " It was a great way to finish up four "It will be to some advantage to us to swim in our own pool where we've practiced years. Every year she got tougher and this during the season. There is also the fact that year was no exception." said DeMeyer. our swimmers won't have to travel and can While Bechtholdt collected most of the Vandals 235 points, other Idaho swimmersd sleep in their own beds," DeMeyer said. Finally, the big weekend rolled around as contributed to the team's seventh place Sl.l{immers from approximately 50 colleges finish as well. Although the team wanted to better late from throughout the United States poured year's fifth place performance, no one was into Moscow. In the first round of the finals, Bechtholdt complaining about this year's seventh place paced the Vandals by winning the 500-yard finish. Of the 51 teams competing, only six placed higher than the Vandals. freestyle. Bechtholdt, swimming in lane four, Gary LundgrerO started to edge out the other competitors by
AFTER A RACE, Anne Kincheloe pau•ee to reflect on her performance. Kincheloe placed •ixth in the 100 meter bre. .t •troke and eighth in the 200-meter brea•t •troke in J)le naUonal•.
TEAM MEMBERS al.o acted a• cheerleader•, while not competing at national•, which were held in Mo•cow for the fir•t time.
AIAW Swimming Nationals
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