Both the NIU women’s and men’s swimming teams had to be thankful for competing against Northeastern Illinois last Tuesday in non-conference action.

Even though ‘NIU’ was assured of a victory, it was the Huskies from DeKalb that swam away with both victories. The women’s squad coasted to a 116-46 win, while the men posted a 127-50 victory.

Judi Graham and Jen Mueller paced the NIU women’s team with two first-place victories apiece. Graham won the 100-yard freestyle (:58.56) and the 500-yard freestyle (5:49.12). Meanwhile, Mueller placed first in the 200-yard freestyle 2:08.09) and 100-yard backstroke (1:08.47). Jeanne Kuipers added a first- and second-place showing to aid the Huskies cause.

Kuipers triumphed in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:18.48—which was 16 minutes better than her Northeastern counterpart. Kuipers also added a red ribbon in the 50-yard freestyle (:27.10). The only swimmer faster than Kuipers in he event was teammate Kristin Scholz, who won the event with a :25.85 showing.

Kim Bell earned first-place honors in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a 11:40.39 time. Nikki Poulos won the 200-yard individual medley and Amy Inselberger won the one-meter diving event. Linda Matz added a 500-yard freestyle win.

The men’s squad prevailed in 11-of-the-13 events en route to its second victory of the season. Andy McDaniel took the 500-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke and swam the anchor for the winning squad in the 200-yard medley relay.

Todd Klumb (10:36.78) won the 1,000-yard freestyle; Matt Anderson (1:49.81) coasted to the 200-yard freestyle win; Craig Hammet (:23.02) beat out teammate Tom Marchertas (:23.76) in the 50-yard freestyle; Hammet added a :56.97 triumph in the 100-yard backstroke; Alex Attiah (2:14.22) prevailed in the 200-yard individual medley; Bryan Hanania captured the one- meter diving event; and Tom Blumenfeld iced the cake with a :51.94 win in the 100-yard freestyle.