WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – University of Iowa Swimming and Diving had three finalists on day two of the Big Ten Championships inside the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center on Thursday evening.
The Hawkeyes scored a combined 29 points between three divers in the one-meter dive competition. Senior Sarah Ballard earned Iowa’s highest placement, finishing 13th with 260.05 points. Junior Makayla Hughbanks finished one spot below Ballard in 14th with 251.15 points. The duo amassed 27 points for the Hawkeyes. Sophomore Geneva Pauly secured two points for the team with a 23rd-place finish and 236.80 points.
“I was proud of the divers and the effort today,” assistant coach Todd Waikel said of the unit. “They fought hard and the positive results showed. I’m excited to see what we can do in the three-meter and tower.”
Freshman Olivia Swalley placed 14th in the 200 individual medley, touching the wall in 1:59.98. The Johnston, Iowa, native qualified for the finals following her 2:00.00 mark in the preliminary round.
The 400 medley relay team of Kennedy Gilbertson, Swalley, Scarlet Martin and Jenna Kerr wrapped up the evening with a ninth-place finish of 3:40.80.
“Our divers had an outstanding day, scoring three individuals,” said head coach Nathan Mundt. “We’re learning how to compete at a high level in this conference and I know that we got better today. Olivia had a great race in the 200 IM. Our 400 medley relay team came together to finish the session strong. We look forward to some of our better events tomorrow.”
As a team, the Hawkeyes have earned 152 points and are in ninth place. Competition resumes tomorrow at 9 a.m. (CT) with the 100 fly preliminary rounds.
HAWKEYE RESULTS
50 Freestyle (prelims)
31. Scarlet Martin – 23.08
39. Kennedy Gilbertson – 23.38
55. Molly Pedersen – 24.03, PR
59. Megan Hartlieb – 24.25
62. Addison Crain – 25.04
63. Leslie Wendel – 25.26
64. Olivia Asay – 26.59
Exh. Madison Stone – 24.43, PR
Exh. Anna Pfeiffer – 24.86
200 Individual Medley (prelims)
16. Olivia Swalley – 2:00.00, B final qualifier
33. Sabina Kupcova – 2:02.70, SB
41. Mallory Kell – 2:04.88, PR
43. Hope Schimming – 2:07.27
44. Josie Hood – 2:07.38
200 Individual Medley (finals)
14. Olivia Swalley – 1:59.98
500 Freestyle (prelims)
26. Jenna Kerr – 4:48.52
35. Alix O’Brien – 4:56.44
48. Olivia Frantum – 5:04.68
Exh. Meredith O’Malley – 5:06.15, PR
400 Medley Relay
9. Gilbertson, Swalley, Martin, Kerr – 3:40.80
One-Meter Dive (prelims)
11. Sarah Ballard – 257.95
14. Makayla Hughbanks – 253.75
23. Geneva Pauly – 236.80
33. Simone Beinlich – 221.00
One-Meter Dive (finals)
13. Sarah Ballard – 260.05
14. Makayla Hughbanks – 251.15