Marni Benson

Position:
Breaststroke/IM
Class:
Senior
High School:
Winona
Hometown:
Winona, Minn.

Honors and Awards:
2008-2009 Team Captain ... ISU's Most Valuable Swimmer (08-09) ... all-Big 12 first team in 100 breaststroke (08-09) ... all-Big 12 second team in 100 breaststroke (07-08) and 200 breaststroke (07-08, 08-09) ... academic all-Big 12 first team (06-07, 07-08, 08-09) ... recipient of ISU’s Kerry O’Brien Award (07-08).

2008-09 (Senior):
Competed in 400 medley relay (fifth, 3:40.98), 200 free relay (sixth, 1:32.92), 200 IM (16th, 2:04.87), 100 breast (second, 1:01.72) and 200 breast (fifth, 2:15.64) at the Big 12 Championships, earning all-conference honors in the 100 and 200 breast ... wrapped up 11 first-place finishes (eight individual, three relay) ... won the 200 breast against Nebraska-Omaha, South Dakota, Northern Iowa, St. Olaf, Nebraska and at the Nebraska Invitational ... took first in the 100 breaststroke against Nebraska ... along with 200 breast win at St. Olaf, won the 50 free and was member of winning 200 medley relay team.

2007-08 (Junior):
Participated in the 200 medley relay (fifth, 1:43.77), 200 IM (13th, 2:06.07), 50 free (Exh., 24.20), 400 medley relay (third, 3:43.83), 200 free relay (third, 1:33.24), 100 breast (sixth, 1:03.91) and 200 breaststroke (fourth, 2:15.84) at the Big 12 Championships ... set new school record in the 200 breast (2:15.84) and fourth fastest time in the 100 breast (1:03.91) ... swam to 11 first-place finishes (seven individual, four relay) ... took first in the 200 breast against Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa.

2006-07 (Sophomore):
Swam in the 100 breast (13th, 1:05.08), 200 breast (11th, 2:20.90) and as a member of the 200 medley relay (fifth, 1:44.88) and 400 medley relay (fourth, 3:47.31) at the Big 12 Championships ... recorded 12 first-place finishes (six individual, six relay) ... had three wins against South Dakota State (200 medley relay, 100 breast, 200 breast) and Northern Iowa (200 medley relay, 100 breast, 200 breast).

2005-06 (Freshman):
Raced in the 200 medley relay (fifth, 1:44.47), 400 medley relay (second, 3:44.29),100 breast (9th, 1:04.12) and 200 breast (10th, 2:19.45) at the Big 12 Championships ... swam well in her freshman season, earning her first collegiate victory against South Dakota State in the 200 breast (2:30.09) ... followed with a win in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.57) ... first relay victory also came against the Jackrabbits in the 200 medley (1:50.99).

High School/Club:
Qualified for the state meet four times and placed in the top-10 three of those years ... honored as a member of the all-state high school swimming team in 2004 ... section one class AA champion in the 50 free (24.65) in 2004 ... section one class AA champion in 200 free (1:57.34) in 2002 ... coached by Maggie Lambert, Korrell Hondee, Erin Briggs and Ann Leppor in high school ... swam club for the Winona Water Wizards swimming club ... graduated as 2005 Minnesota long course state champion in the 100 breaststroke.

Personal:
Management and marketing major ... born July 7, 1987 ... daughter of David and Gena Benson ... sister, Brita, was a member of the Iowa State swim team and graduated in 2005.