http://miac-online.org/news/2012/2/17/SWIM_0217123525.aspx

MINNEAPOLIS -- With just one session remaining at the 2012 MIAC Swimming and Diving Championships, the stage is set for a thrilling Saturday night at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. The final day opened with a preliminary session that saw several swimmers who have already impressed continue to dazzle the crowds, as the teams at the top try to put themselves in position to grab the conference championships.

SESSION 5 RESULTS

It was an exceptionally good morning for the Gustavus women's hopes of winning their third-straight MIAC title, and fifth in six years, as Gustie swimmers finished first in three of the four event in Friday's prelims. Sophomore Alissa Tinklenberg - who already has a title in the 100-yard backstroke - finished first in the 200-yard backstroke preliminary with a 2011 NCAA Selection Time of 2:03.31.

The other two Gustie winners are a pair of freshman. Jennifer Strom had one of Friday's highlights with a meet record in the 100-yard breaststroke, and she is in position to add a title in the 200-yard breaststroke with a first-place finish in the prelim thanks to her NCAA 'B' cut time of 2:23.84. She touched the wall just ahead of defending champ Maggie Boling of St. Olaf (2:24.75). Fellow Gustavus freshman Katie Olson finished the 100-yard freestyle with a first-place time of 52.70, with St. Olaf's Meghan Weiss - who already has two titles this weekend - in second (52.81).

In the final women's swimming event, the Oles' Lydia Feldman leads a competitive field in the 200-yard butterfly after her time of 2:08.56 Saturday morning. Feldman won the 200-yard individual medley on Thursday evening, and to add a second title she'll have to again best a field that includes defending champion and MIAC record holder Ellen Dean of Saint Benedict, who is in fourth at 2:21.21.

On the diving board, Jennifer Easton of St. Thomas and Macalester's Renee' Jordan began another exciting dual on the 1-meter board after finishing first and second, respectively, on the 3-meter board Friday night. Easton again leads with a 260.15 in the prelims, with Jordan in second at 231.90.

On the men's side, St. Thomas enters Saturday with a slim lead over defending champion St. Olaf, and each school had a first-place finisher in the prelims. The Tommies' Justin Mullee finished first in the 200-yard backstroke with a 'B' cut time of 1:53.03, just ahead of Gustavus' Zac Solis who also met the consideration standard with a time of 1:53.17. Meanwhile St. Olaf saw Chase Liaboe set his sights on his second individual title of the meet, as the defending champion in the 200-yard butterfly finished first in Saturday's prelim with a time of 1:55.06.

The Oles will send another defending champ to the starting blocks Saturday night, as Colby Kubat looks for his second-straight title in the 200-yard breaststroke to add to the title in won in the 100-yard breaststroke Friday. However, Kubat will have to catch Gustavus' Billy Schultze, who won the prelim with an NCAA consideration time of 2:05.59, just ahead of Kubat's (2:07.12). Schultze was the runner-up the previous night when Kubat won the 100.

Carleton's Erik Klontz will also look to continue his stellar meet, as the 50-yard freestyle champion and meet-record holder met the 'B' time in the 100-yard free with his first-place finish in 45.99. In third was St. Olaf freshman Michael Gratz (46.36), who is seeking his third individual title of the meet.

The 2012 MIAC Swimming and Diving Championships will conclude Saturday evening with the sixth and final session of the event. Doors open at 3 p.m. with 1,650-yard freestyle heats starting just after 4 p.m. Diving starts at 6:30 p.m. and swimming events begin at 7 p.m. The events on Saturday night's schedule are: women's 1-meter diving, men's 3-meter diving, 1,650-yard freestyle, 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard butterfly and the 400-yard freestyle relay. There will be a short awards presentation at the conclusion of the event, with championship trophies going to the team winners, and the announcement of the individual award winners, including MIAC Swimmer- and Diver-of-the-Year and the annual Coach-of-the-Year awards.

The MIAC and Webcast America have also teamed up to provide a live Webcast of all six sessions. Live results are also available, updated shortly after each event. Links to the live stats, live broadcast, full championship information, results, schedules and more are all available on the 2012 MIAC Swimming and Diving Championships home page. Photos from Session 5 are also available online, and can be purchased right off the MIAC site.