The last Gophers' athletic team to win four consecutive titles was the men's tennis team. Way back from 1992-95.
A women's team had never done it. Until Saturday.
The Gophers women's swimming and diving team accomplished that feat at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion in Columbus, Ohio.
Minnesota took the lead on Day 2, briefly gave it up to Indiana on Saturday, Day 4 during the final session, but prevailed with a robust 618.5 points.
The next four:
2. Indiana, 591
3. Michigan, 478.5
4. Wisconsin, 448
5. Purdue, 388
Three Gophers between them won five individual titles and were named All-Big Ten first team: Kierra Smith, 100- and 200 breastrokes, sophomore Yu Zhou, 1- and 3-meter diving and freshman Brooke Zeiger, 400 IM.
Here's a look at the 13 swimmers or divers who placed fifth or higher in at least one event:
SENIORS
Katy Etterman, Brainerd HS, second in 3-meter diving (333.80), All-Big Ten second team
Kiera Janzen, Cretin-Derham Hall, on third-place 800 freestyle relay
Jessica Plant, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, fourth in 200 freestyle, on third-place 800 freestyle relay and fourth-place 400 freestyle relay
Tori Simenec, from Salem, Oregon, fourth in 200 IM, on third-place 800 freestyle relay, and on fourth-place 200 and 400 medley relays and 400 freestyle relay
Devin Ste. Marie, from Whitby, Ontario, fifth in 200 butterfly
Rebecca Weiland, from Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., tied for second in 50 freestyle (22.13) with Ohio State sprinter, fourth in 100 butterfly, on third-placed 200 freestyle relay, and on on fourth-place 200 and 400 medley relays and 400 freestyle relay; All-Big Ten second team
Blake Zeiger, from Cumberland, R.I., anchored third-place 200 freestyle relay
Comments: Seven seniors filled a lot of the spots on the relays, which all finished third or fourth
JUNIORS
Samantha Harding, from Las Cruces, N.M., fourth in 500 and 1,650 freestyles
Kierra Smith, from Kelowna, B.C., won 100 breaststroke (59.32) and 200 breaststroke (2:05.69), which was a Big Ten, meet and pool record, fifth in 200 IM, on fourth-place 200 and 400 medley relays ... She won two breaststroke event for second year in a row.
Lauren Votava, Des Peres, Mo., fourth in 100 freestyle, on third place 200 and 800 frestyle relays and on 4th place 400 freestyle relay
Comments: Smith was someone team could count on for big points in her events
SOPHOMORES
Lexi Tenenbaum, Maple Grove HS, fifth in platform diving
Yu Zhou, from Beijing, won 1-meter diving (365) and, with a pool record total, 3-meter diving (411.55) events and was second in platform diving (371.80). ... Named Diver of the Championships.
Comments: Zhou a budding star on the board.
FRESHMEN
Danielle Nack, Mankato HS, second in 200 butterfly (1:56.31), on third-place 200 freestyle relay and fourth place 200 and 400 medley relays
Brooke Zieger, from Cumberland, R.I., won the 400 IM (4:03.28), a program record; third in 1,650 freestyle (16:03.94)
Comments: Lots of potential with these two.
SUMMARY
* This was the seven conference title overall for the Gophers.
* The conference swimming and diving coaches of the year will be named after the NCAA tournament.
* The NCAA meet will be held March 19-21 in Greensboro, N.C.
* Team was ranked 14th going into Big Ten meet in College Swimming Coaches Association of America's poll, highest of any conference team
* Only events Gophers didn't have someone place in top five were the 100 and 200 backstrokes; top Gophers there were way down, 35th and 31st in preliminaries, respectively.