OCALA, Fla. – University of Iowa freshman swimmer Olivia Swalley won the 200 individual medley at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship inside the Florida Aquatic Swimming & Training (FAST) facility on Thursday.
“We had a very exciting first day,” head coach Nathan Mundt said. “It was great to see our team put themselves in position to come back and swim at night in the finals.”
Swalley was crowned the champion, speeding to a personal-best 1:58.47 finish. Her time ranks second all-time at Iowa. Teammate Sabina Kupcova also represented the Hawkeyes in the championship final of the 200 individual medley. Kupcova placed seventh overall in 2:01.30. In the prelims, Swalley touched the wall in 2:00.32 to earn the fourth seed. Kupcova touched the wall in a new-best 2:01.21 to move to sixth in program history and place sixth in the first round.
Jenna Kerr won her heat of the 500 freestyle in 4:46.61 to qualify for the championship final. In the evening session, the Barrington, Illinois, native secured fourth place with a personal-best 4:45.15. Kerr’s new best moves her to fourth all-time at Iowa.
Kennedy Gilbertson started the day with a 25.75 in the preliminary round of the 50 backstroke. The Plover, Wisconsin, native returned in the evening session and placed 11th with a 25.19.
“Olivia had an excellent performance to win the 200 IM tonight. In the same heat, Sabina continued to be aggressive after an awesome morning swim,” said Mundt. “Jenna improved so much today in the 500 free and raced much stronger tonight. She also had a lifetime best. Kennedy swam a half second faster than this morning and won the B final of the 50 back. Overall, we’ve gained a ton of racing experience and a fun start to the meet this weekend. We are excited for more fast swimming tomorrow.”
Iowa wraps up day one with 61 points.
UP NEXT: The Hawkeyes are back in the pool tomorrow in Ocala, Florida, for day two of the CSCAA National Invitational Championship, beginning at 8:30 a.m. (CT). Results are available via the MeetMobile app. Live coverage is streamed on the official FAST YouTube page.
HAWKEYE RESULTS
50 Backstroke Prelim
13. Kennedy Gilbertson – 25.75
50 Backstroke Final
11. Kennedy Gilbertson – 25.19
200 Individual Medley Prelim
4. Olivia Swalley – 2:00.32
6. Sabina Kupcova – 2:01.21, PR + 6th at Iowa
200 Individual Medley Final
1. Olivia Swalley – 1:58.47, PR + 2nd at Iowa
7. Sabina Kupcova – 2:01.30
500 Freestyle Prelim
1. Jenna Kerr — 4:46.61
32. Alix O’Brien – 4:57.62
500 Freestyle Final
4. Jenna Kerr – 4:45.15, PR + 4th at Iowa
50 Freestyle Prelim
26. Kennedy Gilbertson – 23.48