The University of Iowa men's swimming and diving team posted a 171-47 win over Western Illinois Friday night at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes won all 13 events solidifying their sixth consecutive dual win.
“It was great to get the wins and we appreciate all the teams that came and raced tonight,” said UI head coach Marc Long. “We need to take care of some things and we had an opportunity to switch around some lineups. This was our last opportunity to swim fast before Big Tens and we were able to do that”.
The Hawkeyes jumped out to an early lead in the opening event -- the 400 medley relay. The quartet of Chris Freeman, Matthew Boyd, Maverick Hovey, and Brandon Farnum were the first of Iowa’s 1-2-3 finishing groups touching in with a time of 3:25.27.
Newcomer Chris Dawson kept things going in the 200 free posting a time of 1:43.48. Andrew Parker finished second (1:44.60). Dawson also posted a top finish in the 200 free relay (1:26.25) and touched in third in the 400 medley (3:27.97).
In the 100 IM, Iowa gathered a 1-2 finish from Roman Trussov (51.64) and Freeman (52.11). Trussov also posted a win in the 50 breast (51.64) and finished runner up in the 200 free relay (1:23.24).
The Hawkeyes shined in the diving well taking wins on all three levels.
“I was very pleased with the results, especially on the tower,” said UI diving coach Todd Waikel. “It’s very important for our tower divers to get a meet in before Big Tens. The fact we were able to compete on the tower and gain that experience was great -- not to mention we scored well in doing so.
“Addison was outstanding on the platform nearly hitting the 400 mark and I know he’s going to reach it soon. Matt Mauser and Evan Hull also had personal bests so it was another great night for those two.”
On the 1-meter, Brandis Heffner was the lone representative from the Iowa divers and dove to a score of 299.80.
In 3-meter competition, Heffner once again paced the field diving to top-finishing score of 353.10. Matt Mauser was close behind with a personal best 332.90 and Evan Hull finished sixth diving to a score of 247.65.
Addison Boschult shined on the platform diving to a top score of 396.00. Matt Mauser (250.85) and Evan Hull (220.20) followed up.
The Hawkeyes return to action Feb. 25-28, hosting the Big Ten Championships at the CRWC in Iowa City.
The University of Iowa women's swimming and diving team posted a pair of wins on Friday night at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes won all 13 events solidifying dual wins over Northern Iowa (177-46) and Western Illinois (184-36).
“It was great to get the wins and we appreciate all the teams that came and raced tonight,” said UI head coach Marc Long. “We need to take care of some things and we had an opportunity to switch around some lineups. This was our last opportunity to swim fast before Big Tens and we were able to do that”.
Newcomer Meghan Lavelle put the Hawkeyes in front early with a first-place finish in the opening 50 free, touching in with a time of 23.79. Lavelle added on with a pair of top finishes in the 200 free relay (1:35.68) and 400 medley relay (3:55.51).
Freshman Lauren Leehy also added on with a trio of wins tonight with top finishes in the 100 free (51.74), 200 free relay (1:35.68), and 400 medley relay (3:55.51).
UI sophomore Emma Sougstad was also a key factor in the Black and Gold’s success winning 2-of-3 events. Sougstad was victorious in the 50 fly (25.57) and 100 IM (58.40) while finishing second in the 200 free relay (1:36.92).
The Hawkeyes had a strong finish to the swimming events with a 1-2-3 finish in the 400 medley relay. The quartet of Jo Jekel, Shea Hoyt, Meghan Lavelle, and Lauren Leehy posted the top time coming in at the 3:55.51 mark. Nikol Lagodzinska, Pamela Breitrick, Mekenna Scheitlin, and Sarena Wanasek finished second (3:57.54) and Rowan Hauber, Elaine Boosalis, Hannah Maher, and Serena Wanasek took third (2:59.53).
Iowa held control of the meet in the diving well with first place finishes on all three levels.
“I was very pleased with the results, especially on the tower,” said UI diving coach Todd Waikel. “It’s very important for our tower divers to get a meet in before Big Tens. The fact we were able to compete on the tower and gain that experience was great -- not to mention we scored well in doing so.”
On the 1-meter, the Hawkeyes were led by senior Abbi Grilli who dove to a score of 292.55. Joelle Christy finished second with a score of 290.50 and Lydia Lehnert finished third (270.50).
In 3-meter competition, Christy led the field with a score of 312.90. Grilli was a close behind diving to a score of 304.50.
Lehnert was the top finisher on the platform, diving to a score of 270.05. UI Sophomore Calli Head finished third (230.60).
A pair of Illinois divers competed at the University of Iowa on Friday evening. Raquel Corniuk and Olivia Kassouni got in some extra work in platform diving, both putting up their best performance of the season.
Corniuk broke her own school record in the event with a score of 236.50, shattering her previous record of 210.25 set at the Missouri Invitational earlier this season. Kassouni’s previous best was also at this season’s Missouri Invite when she posted a score of 195.60. Her score of 200.40 at Iowa is the fourth-best mark on Illinois’ top 10 list.
Next up on the team's schedule is a trip to Columbus, Ohio for the Big Ten Championships. The conference meet will take place Feb. 18-21.
