Jan. 26, 2008

Arnold Collects Two Wins, Sets 1,000 Free Record Against Akron

    Youngstown -- Junior Olivia Arnold won two events and broke her own school record in the 1,000-yard freestyle in Youngstown State's final home meet of year against Akron on Saturday. The Zips defeated the Penguins 170-119 at the Beeghly Center Natatorium.
    Arnold topped her previous record by four seconds, posting a second-place time of 10:38.91. She later just missed her personal-best time to win the 200 IM in 2:16.89, and her time of 5:16.09 gave her a win in the 500 free.
    "We had a great meet led off by our second-fastest time of the season in the 400 medley relay, and Olivia followed that up with the school record," head coach Matt Anderson said.
    "It's good to see that we're peaking at the right time. Hopefully this will increase our confidence heading into our final two dual meets and the conference championships."
    In addition to Arnold's record-setting time in the 1,000 free, three other entries were made to YSU's top-10 performers list. Natasha Bray set a personal-best (10:43.86) in the 1,000 free by nine seconds and now ranks second in school history. Alana Kane's personal-bests in the 50 free (25.71) and 200 free (2:00.83) rank her eighth and 10th, respectively.
    As a team, the Penguins had 19 season-best times and nine personal-best marks.
    Ashley Williamson added a victory in the 200 back (2:12.18), and she teamed up with Kane, Brittany Senn and Megan Rupe to win the 400 free relay.
    Jessica Front finished second in the 200 free (2:00.54), Williamson was second in the 100 back (1:00.19) and Darling's second-place time of 1:08.85 in the 100 breast was just .39 seconds off her her school record.
    Senn added a second-place time in the 50 free (25.02), and Rupe was second in the 100 free (55.25).
    The Penguins will compete at the Carnegie Mellon Invitational on Friday at 6 p.m.