Bicek, Ozbolt Named IWU Swim "MVPs"

28 April 2004

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Seniors Erin Bicek and Jason Ozbolt have been named “Most Valuable Swimmers” for the Illinois Wesleyan women’s and men’s teams, respectively.

Bicek (Downers Grove, North HS), who was also the co-MVP last season, won four individual events and was chosen as the "Women's Most Valuable Swimmer" in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin swim championships, helping the IWU women's team finish second.

Bicek won the 200 and 400 individual medley and the 100 and 200 breaststroke events and swam legs on the winning 400 and 800 free relay teams. She also earned honorable mention All-America at the NCAA Division III national meet as she finished in the top 16 with three relay teams.

Ozbolt (Lockport, East HS), who was the men’s MVP for the fourth straight season, was also an all-CCIW swimmer with his second place finish in the 1650 free while also earning a fifth in the 500 free.

In other team honors. freshmen Ian Cohen (Kildeer, Lake Zurich HS) and Laura Cathelyn (Geneseo, J.D. Darnall HS) earned the "Most Improved" swimmer awards for the men’s and women's squads, respectively.

Bicek and senior Heather Lingenfelter (Peoria, Richwoods HS) were named captains of the women's team and senior Dan Budny (Western Springs, Lyons North HS) were the men's captains.

In addition to Bicek, Lingenfelter and three other Titan women’s swimmers earned all-conference honors. Lingenfelter won the 50 free and got second in the 100 butterfly while senior Molly Hornbaker (Princeton HS) won the 100 free and got second in the 50 free.

Freshman Jessica Hohl (Winfield, Wheaton North HS) swam to a third in the 50 free and sophomore Robin Johnson (Peoria, Dunlap HS) was a member of three relay teams that finished first in the conference meet.

Head coach Teresa Fish awarded letters to 26 swimmers. They are (with hometowns, high schools):

Illinois Wesleyan Women (16)

SENIORS - Erin Bicek, Downers Grove (North HS); Molly Hornbaker, Princeton (HS); Heather Lingenfelter, Peoria (Richwoods HS); Blair Silliman, Barrington (HS).

SOPHOMORES - Robin Johnson, Peoria (Dunlap HS); Sara Lockman, Savoy (Champaign Central HS); Meghan McCreary, Waukegan (Lake Forest Academy); Marissa Riermaier, Homewood (Homewood-Flossmoor HS); Erin Tilson, Mercer Island, Wash. (HS); Caitlin VonHuben, Orland Park (Sandburg HS).

FRESHMEN – Jennifer Becker, Petersburg (Porta HS); Laura Cathelyn, Geneseo (J.D. Darnall HS); Jessica Hohl, Winfield (Wheaton North HS); Lauren Paul, Peoria (Dunlap HS); Erin Storck, Melrose Park (West Leyden HS); Dorothy Wawrzak, Bolingbrook (Neuqua Valley HS).

Illinois Wesleyan Men (10)

SENIORS - Dan Budny, Western Springs (Lyons North HS); Byron Lubenkov, LaGrange (Lyons North HS), Marcus Meyer, Burr Ridge (Fenwick HS); Jake Osterberg, Belvidere (HS).

JUNIOR - Ben Braksick, Bloomington (Normal Community HS).

SOPHOMORES - Bob Achtstatter, Arlington Heights (Buffalo Grove HS); Mike Friedman, Buffalo Grove (Stevenson HS); Justin Gorson, Hawthorn Woods (Stevenson HS); Ross Straseske, Champaign (Centennial HS).

FRESHMEN – Ian Cohen, Kildeer (Lake Zurich HS); Ben Polite, Libertyville (HS).

CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206