Bernatsky, Flowers Tabbed B1G Athletes to Watch

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa diver Zita Bernatsky and swimmer Payton Flowers were named to the Big Ten Athletes to Watch list for the 2026-2027 season, the conference announced on Tuesday. 

Bernatsky heads into the 2026 campaign following a standout season as a freshman. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, native holds the ninth all-time at Iowa record off the platform (229.90). During the dual against No. 24 Minnesota last season, Bernatsky collected career bests off the one- (287.15) and three-meter (321.80) boards. Bernatsky competed at the AAU Diving National Championships, where she won the one-meter title and topped her previous record with 299.20. 

Flowers returns for her sophomore season after a record-breaking year as a rookie. The native of DeForest, Wisconsin, set the school record in the 50 free (21.94) and became the first Hawkeye in school history to swim sub-22. Flowers swam the lead legs in the school record-setting 200 free relay (1:29.68) and 400 free relay (3:17.94). Flowers also posted the second-fastest time in school history in the 100 free (48.80) and 100 fly (52.49), and the seventh-fastest in the 100 back (54.22). Flowers earned the team’s swimming MVP award and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Nov. 5. In total, Flowers collected 12 individual wins and was a part of all 10 relay wins during the 2025-2026 season. 

The Iowa swimming and diving team begins its season on Oct. 2 against Marquette. The meet is set for 3 p.m. (CT) inside the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City.