LINCOLN, Neb. – University of Iowa swimming defeated Nebraska, 159.5-140.5, in their first Big Ten dual of the season at the Devaney Natatorium on Friday afternoon.
“Our coaching staff is so very proud of this team and how they performed tonight,” Iowa head coach Nathan Mundt said. “We faced adversity to start the meet and kept coming back to compete in every race and dive. We’re excited to earn our first Big Ten victory of the season and look forward to keeping the momentum going at our Hawkeye Invitational in a few weeks.”
The Hawkeyes tallied ten individual wins and a win in the 400 free relay on the day. Sophomore Scarlet Martin was responsible for two first-place finishes, including a season best in the 100 butterfly (54.18) and collegiate best in the 200 butterfly (1:59.56) to better her sixth ranked mark at Iowa. Senior Kennedy Gilbertson‘s 50 freestyle (23.72) and sophomore Sabina Kupcova‘s 100 freestyle (51.75) were also good for season bests.
The freshmen came together to register six of the ten individual wins. Olivia Swalley registered three, including breaking her seventh-ranked mark on Iowa’s top-10 list with a 2.17.07 finish in the 200 breaststroke. Hope Schimming set two new season bests as well in the 100 backstroke (56.48) and the 200 backstroke (2:02.12). Jenna Kerr was the final freshman to tally an individual win in the 200 freestyle (1:50.58).
Junior diver Makayla Hughbanks finished top three in the one- and three-meter dives to lead the squad. Hughbanks placed third in the 1-meter dive with a score of 299.90 and set a new season best finishing second in the 3-meter dive with a score of 315.60.
Iowa finished the meet strong with Kerr, Kupcova, freshman Josie Hood and Martin teaming up to win the 400 free relay with a time of 3:24.90.
University of Iowa women’s swimming and diving hosts the Hawkeye Invitational Thursday, Nov. 30-Saturday, Dec. 2. Prelims start at 10 a.m. (CT) and the finals will begin at 5 p.m. (CT) each day in the CRWC Natatorium. The meet will be live streamed on B1G+ (subscription required).
