IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa women’s swimming and diving won its season opener against Northern Iowa, 196.5-103.5, at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center on Friday night.
“I think it was an excellent start to the season,” Iowa head coach Nathan Mundt said. “It was exactly what we’re looking to see in this early part of our season. It is really just good to see where we’re at. We got some quality competition from UNI. We saw some spots along the way that we can certainly improve upon but it was a solid start.”
Iowa had a total of 11 individual wins on the night. Freshman Olivia Frantum kicked off the meet for the Hawkeyes, winning the 1000 free (10:19.69). Freshman Olivia Swalley posted three wins of her own in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.01), the 200 backstroke (2:18.73) and finished up with the 200 IM (2:02.96).
Iowa was victorious in their first relay of the night. Senior Kennedy Gilbertson, Swalley, sophomore Scarlet Martin, and junior transfer Megan Hartlieb teamed up to take first place in the 200 medley with a time of 1:41.81.
Diving picked up its momentum from last season with impressive performances. Junior Makayla Hughbanks took first place off the one-meter springboards with her career best 312.60, bettering her eighth all-time mark at Iowa. Simone Beinlich kicked off her freshman campaign with a win in the three-meter dive (262.30). Senior Sarah Ballard finished second in both the one- and three-meter dives (275.50) (245.15).
The Hawkeyes hit the road to Columbus, Ohio, to take on Ohio State and Virginia Tech Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28. The meet will be live streamed on B1G+.
