WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – University of Iowa Swimming and Diving posted the program’s second-fastest time in the 400 Freestyle relay at the Big Ten Championships inside the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center on Saturday evening.
Sabina Kupcova, Jenna Kerr, Olivia Swalley and Scarlet Martin clocked a 3:19.26 to skyrocket to second all-time at Iowa. Additionally, Kupcova’s leadoff leg of 50.14 moved her to fourth in school history.
The relay team reached the podium and placed eighth.
“We are so proud of this team,” head coach Nathan Mundt said. “Overall at this year’s championships, our team scored 303 points compared to 198 last year. We have seen significant improvement and continue to get better one day at a time. Our 400 free relay capped off the meet in exciting fashion, placing eighth overall to earn a spot on the podium. We narrowly missed the school record. We are excited for the future.”
The Hawkeyes wrapped up the competition with five finalists on Saturday. Diver Geneva Pauly earned Iowa’s highest placing, clinching a B final appearance in the platform diving competition. Pauly would ultimately finish 13th after ripping multiple dives and tallying 222.25 points.
The Hawkeyes double dipped in the C final of the 200 backstroke and were represented by senior Kennedy Gilbertson and junior Annie Galvin. Gilbertson and Galvin clocked sub-2:00 times in the finals, with Gilbertson touching the wall in 1:57.65 and Galvin finishing in 1:58.65. The duo placed 18th and 22nd, respectively.
Martin placed in the top 20 in the 200 butterfly, swimming a 1:59.64. The Iowa City, Iowa, native would claim 19th overall.
Swalley concluded a strong debut at the Big Ten Championships, finding herself in another final. This time, Swalley qualified for the C final of the 200 breaststroke and earned 22nd place (2:15.06).
In the long distance 1,650 freestyle event, the Hawkeyes notched personal bests from Kerr (16:37.01), Olivia Frantum (17:06.78) and Meredith O’Malley (17:26.64).
Iowa returns to competition with the NCAA Zone Diving event March 11-13 in Houston, Texas. Days later, the Hawkeyes are scheduled to compete at the CSCAA National Invitational from March 14-16 in Ocala, Florida.
HAWKEYE RESULTS
100 Freestyle prelims
27. Sabina Kupcova – 50.38
43. Molly Pedersen – 51.70
48. Josie Hood – 51.97
53. Megan Hartlieb – 54.03
Exh. Madison Stone – 53.48
200 Backstroke prelims
20. Annie Galvin – 1:59.67, C Finalist qualifier
24. Kennedy Gilbertson – 2:00.57, C Finalist qualifier
27. Hope Schimming – 2:02.07
30. Addie Crain – 2:07.98
Exh. Anna Pfeiffer – 2:06.05
200 Backstroke finals
18. Kennedy Gilbertson – 1:57.65
22. Annie Galvin – 1:58.65
200 Breaststroke prelims
21. Olivia Swalley – 2:15.72, C Finalist qualifier
Exh. Meredith O’Malley – 2:30.45
200 Breaststroke finals
22. Olivia Swalley – 2:15.06
200 Butterfly prelims
20. Scarlet Martin – 2:00.76, C Finalist qualifier
31. Mallory Kell – 2:05.89
32. Leslie Wendel – 2:08.59
33. Olivia Asay – 2:10.42
200 Butterfly finals
19. Scarlet Martin – 1:59.64
1,650 Freestyle
19. Jenna Kerr – 16:37.01, PR
22. Alix O’Brien – 16:53.30
27. Olivia Frantum – 17:06.78, PR
Exh. Meredith O’Malley – 17:26.64, PR
400 Freestyle Relay
8. Kupcova, Kerr, Swalley, Gilbertson – 3:19.26
Kupcova – 50.14 leadoff leg 4th at Iowa (100 Free)
Platform Dive prelims
14. Geneva Pauly – 215.20, B Final qualifier
30. Simone Beinlich – 179.20
Platform Dive finals
13. Geneva Pauly – 222.25