Hawkeyes Close B1G Championships with 4 Updates to Program Top-10 List

COLUMBUS, Ohio – University of Iowa swimming and diving posted four times to the program’s top-ten list to close the Big Ten Championships on Saturday inside the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion.

In the morning session, sophomore Hope Schimming qualified for the finals of the 200 backstroke with Iowa’s sixth-fastest time in school history at 1:57.41. Schimming ultimately placed 23rd in the final, touching the wall in 1:58.83. 

Three more Hawkeyes etched their names in the program record books. In the prelims of the 100 freestyle, freshman Rachel Dildine clocked a 49.91 to set Iowa’s fourth-fastest time in school history. Sophomore Josie Hood recorded a 2:02.17 in the 200 butterfly, moving to 10th all-time at Iowa. Senior Alix O’Brien was the fourth Hawkeye to improve on the program’s top-ten list, swimming a personal-best 16:40.07 in the 1,650 freestyle distance race. The time is ninth at Iowa.

"We had some excellent performances today to conclude the Big Ten Championships, including several top times in program history and many lifetime bests," head coach Nathan Mundt said. "Overall, our team learned so much over the course of this competition. We will continue to improve and we are not done yet. We're excited to host NCAA Diving Zones in a couple of weeks and we're on the verge of qualifying for NCAA Championships in March."

Junior Leslie Wendel notched a personal-best 2:02.80 in the 200 butterfly. Sophomore Olivia Swalley raced 2:15.23 in the 200 breaststroke. 

In the platform diving event, freshman Stephanie Avram scored 172.30 points.

The Hawkeyes concluded the night with a season-best 3:22.70 finish in the 400 freestyle relay. Dildine, Pedersen, Schimming and Hood posted the best time of the season for Iowa by over one second.

Overall, Iowa placed 14th with 158.50 points. Ohio State was crowned the Big Ten Champion.

Up Next: The Hawkeyes host the NCAA Zone Diving Championships at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center March 10-12.

HAWKEYES RESULTS
100 Free:
32. Rachel Dildine - 49.91, PR, 4th all-time at Iowa
42. Molly Pedersen - 50.50, PR
52. Madison Stone - 51.75
53. Nora Kemp - 51.96
57. Megan Hartlieb - 52.91

200 Back Prelim:
22. Hope Schimming - 1:57.41, PR, 6th all-time at Iowa
31. Annie Galvin - 2:00.08
32. Elizabeth Beam - 2:00.17 
33. Hannah Cousins - 2:00.75, PR
39. Addie Crain - 2:05.79, SB
58. Sila Ozkazanc- 2:05.50, PR

200 Back Finals:
23. Hope Schimming - 1:58.83

200 Breast:
36. Olivia Swalley - 2:15.23

200 Fly:
34. Josie Hood - 2:02.17, PR, 10th all-time at Iowa
36. Leslie Wendel - 2:02.80, PR
42. Mallory Kell - 2:05.37

400 Free Relay:
13. Dildine, Pedersen, Schimming, Hood - 3:22.70, SB

1650 Free:
27. Alix O’Brien - 16:40.07, PR, 9th at Iowa
31. Olivia Frantum - 16:58.94

Platform Dive:
41. Stephanie Avram - 172.30