Dec. 3, 2014
This Week
The University of Iowa women’s swimming and diving team hosts the Hawkeye Invitational from Dec. 5-7, at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium. Prelims for all three days will begin at 10 a.m. (CT), followed by a finals session at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 4 p.m. Sunday.
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Live Results
Fans can follow this week’s action via live results at: www.hawkeyesports.com/livestats/c-swim/, and on the “Meet Mobile” swim meet application on cell phones and tablets. Download the application at this link: http://www.active.com/mobile/meet-mobile-app.
Promotions
Saturday’s competition will mark Senior Night where UI seniors will be recognized. The Hawkeyes are also welcoming all fans for “Pack the Pool” night where mini black and gold towels will be handed out to the first 50 fans in attendance. Fans can also register to win one of 10 Iowa prize packs. Free tropical smoothies will be given away to the first 50 fans in attendance Sunday.
Looking Ahead
The Hawkeyes return to action on Friday Dec. 12, hosting Iowa State at 6 p.m. in the CRWC Natatorium.
Scouting the Field
The Hawkeyes welcome three swimming and diving teams and five diving only teams to Iowa City for three days of competition. Denver, Washington State, and UW-Milwaukee will be competing, while Iowa State, Nebraska, Northern Iowa, Ohio State, and Michigan State will only compete in diving events.
Newcomers Stepping Up
Two freshmen have posted top times for the Hawkeyes in 2014. Rowan Hauber has posted Iowa’s top times in the 100 back (55.43) and 200 back (2:01.33). Summer Campbell has also posted a top time in the 100 fly (56.89). All four relay events include at least one newcomer as a member of the quartet.
Sougstad Named B1G Swimmer Of The Week
UI sophomore Emma Sougstad was been named the Big Ten Swimmer of the Week on Nov. 4. Sougstad earned the accolade after posting a pair of NCAA `B’ cut times in the dual against Minnesota on Oct. 31.
Stoughton Leading the Way
Senior Becky Stoughton is off to a fast start in 2014 pacing the Hawkeyes in four events. The Peoria, Illinois, native owns top times in the 200 free (1:50.30), 500 free (4:54.68), 1,000 free (9:49.51), and as a member of the 400 free relay (3:16.41).
Swimming to the Postseason
Sophomore Emma Sougstad recorded NCAA `B’ cut qualifying times in the 100 (2:15.66) and 200 breaststroke (2:15.66) at Minnesota on Oct. 31.
Diving to the Postseason
Redshirt seniors Lauren Kelba and Joelle Christy have posted NCAA Zone Diving standards on both the 1 and 3-meter this year. Christy leads the way on both the 1 (304.65) and 3-meter (306.38). Kelba posted a 281.10 on the 1-meter.
Freeman Earns Silver at Fina Grand Prix
Former Hawkeye and UI assistant coach Deidre Freeman dove to a third-place finish Oct. 26 in 3-meter synchronized diving competition at the FINA Grand Prix in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Grinnell, Iowa, native dove alongside former University of Texas standout Maren Taylor. The duo dove to a score of 259.80 — earning a third-place finish behind two teams from Malaysia.
Off the High Dive
The Iowa diving team returns a veteran lineup, led by a trio of redshirt seniors — Abby Grilli, Joelle Christy, and Lauren Kelba. Grilli led the Hawkeyes in 3-meter diving last season with a score of 336.97. Christy led the team on 1-meter diving with a score of 319.45, and Calli Head led the Hawkeyes in platform diving. Grilli and Christy qualified for NCAA Zone Diving last season. Christy fell just short of making the finals placing 21st. Grilli earned an eighth-place finish in one-meter competition and an 11th-place finish in three-meter competition.
Sougstad World Ranked
UI sophomore Emma Sougstad has earned a spot among the top 50-ranked swimmers in the world following competition at the 2014 Summer Nationals in Irvine, California. Sougstad placed 19th in 50-meter breaststroke competition at the Phillips 66 National Championships.
Kabacinski Sprinting to the Top
Junior Olivia Kabacinski was the top sprinter for the Hawkeyes last season. Kabacinski led the team in the 50 free (22.70), 100 free (49.84), and 200 free (1:47.68). She also posted NCAA “B” qualifying times in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, and 100 breaststroke.
Family Ties
While most programs cite family team atmospheres, it goes a little bit further for the University of Iowa swimming and diving team. Iowa has two Weigands on the current squad in junior Hillary Weigand and sophomore Jennifer Weigand.
2013-2014 MVP
Olivia Kabacinski returns to the Hawkeye roster after earning the team’s Most Valuable Player award as a sophomore. Kabacinski is the UI school record-holder in the 50 free (22.70), 100 free (49.84), as a member of the 400-medley relay (3:39.54), and as a member of the 800-freestyle (7:12.49).
Championship Season
Six Hawkeyes competed in the Phillips 66 National Championships this past summer in Irvine, Calif. Senior Grant Betulius, juniors Mike Nelson, Brian Donatelli and Colleen Champa, and sophomores Kyle Patnode and Emma Sougstad each took part in competition. Sougstad earned a 16th-place finish in the 100 breaststroke in the final day of competition.
2013-2014 MVP
Olivia Kabacinski returns to the Hawkeye roster after earning the team’s Most Valuable Player award as a sophomore. Kabacinski is the UI school record-holder in the 50 free (22.70), 100 free (49.84), as a member of the 400-medley relay (3:39.54), and as a member of the 800-freestyle (7:12.49).
Record Breaking Year
The Hawkeyes come into this season after breaking eight school records throughout the course of last season. Individually, Olivia Kabacinski (50 free – 22.70, 100 free – 49.84), Emma Sougstad (100 breaststroke – 1:00.90), and Haley Gordon (400 fly – 54.58) all broke school recrods in their respective event. The team of Lindsay Seemann, Sougstad, Abbey Tuchscherer, and Elise Bora set the record in the 200 medley relay (1:40.12). The team of Seemann, Sougstad, Gordon, and Olivia Kabacinski swam to a record in the 400 medley relay (3:39.54). Kabacinski, Borja, Emily Hovren, and Seeman set the record in the 400 free (3:21.07). The team of Kabacinski, Hovren, Becky Stoughton, and Seemann set the record in the 800 free (7:12.49).
Academic Honors
Eleven members from the 2013-14 women’s team were honored by the Big Ten Conference with the Distinguished Scholar Award. The team was acknowledged as an All-America team for the 10th consecutive year. In all, 35 women have been named to the CSCAA Scholar All-America list during coach Long’s tenure.
Head Coach Marc Long
Marc Long is in his 11th season as head coach for the University of Iowa swimming team. It’s his 10th as head coach of the combined program. During his tenure as head coach of both programs, 86 school records have fallen and 112 Hawkeyes have provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships.
Freeman Joins Staff
Former Hawkeye Deidre Freeman joins the UI staff as a volunteer assistant coach. Freeman, a 2011 graduate will work primarily with divers. Freeman owns best scores on the one-meter (338.55) and three-meter (407.40) rank first in school history.
Campus Recreation and Wellness Center
Ground was broken for the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in October 2007. The facility opened in August 2010 and is home for the Hawkeyes. It is located at the corner of Burlington and Madison streets and cost approximately $69 million. The facility includes a 50-meter competition pool, a separate diving well, a leisure pool with lap lanes and 24,000 square feet of fitness space.
Iowa Swimming and Diving Tradition
Iowa was one of the first schools in the nation to compete on a collegiate level and competed at the first NCAA Championship. From 1937 to 1960, Iowa placed in the NCAA top 10 18 times, crowning nine NCAA and 22 Big Ten champions.
Follow the Hawkeyes
Become fans of the official Iowa Swimming and Diving fan page by going to facebook.com/IowaSwimmingandDiving to follow the Hawkeyes on Facebook. Fans can also follow on Twitter: @IowaHawkeyeSwim
