Nov. 29, 2007

OXFORD, Ohio - The Marshall swim team set several new season best Thursday as competition got underway on day one of the Miami Invitaional.

In the freestyle mile a pair of Herd swimmers set new bests. Senior Ashley McIlvain led the group with a final time of 17:39.60 and also set new season-bests with her split times in the 500 and 100-meters. Sophomore Jenny Johnsson set a new lifetime-best in the event, clocking in at 17:44.44.

"Ashley had a really solid mile today," Marshall head coach Leonard Kraus said. "She went out with an excellent 500 and 1000 and she stayed relaxed. Jenny also had an impressive day. It was really good to see her set a personal-best, considering she hadn't swam the event in almost a year."

The 800-freestyle team also set a season best with a time 7:55.90.

"We really got off to a good start in the 800 and couldn't quite bring it home as fast as we would have liked," Kraus said. "It's reassuring to get a season-best though because we've really been gearing for the 100, which we'll compete in tomorrow.

"I'm really looking forward to getting better and swimming faster tomorrow. We have some girls ranked really high in several events and hopefully we can challenge for a win in those events."