Huskers Fall to Hawkeyes in Season Opener

The Nebraska swimming and diving team opened up the season with a close 170-128 defeat against Big Ten foe Iowa on Saturday afternoon. This was the first action of the new 2021 campaign for the Huskers, who still managed to succeed against a tough Hawkeye team in their hometown of Iowa City.

Nebraska saw some similar faces rise up to the ranks, as seniors Autumn Haebig and Abi Knapton, along with junior Audrey Coffey, all secured victories in their respective events earlier this afternoon.

Haebig began her successful stretch of three victories in the 200 free, where she swam to a first place finish with a time of 1:46.82. Kim Lanaghen was the next Husker to finish, rallying in fourth (1:51.52).

In the 50 yard free, two Huskers placed in the top four, with freshman Lexi Kucera earning a great second place finish (23.59), falling to Iowa's Sarah Schemmel by a tenth of a second. Fellow freshman Caitlin Cairns swam to a fourth place finish (23.90)

In her second victory of the day, Haebig finished first in the 100 free (50.11), followed by solid finishes from freshman Caitlin Cairns in fourth (52.24) and sophomore Kim Lanaghen in fifth (52.32). Her final victory came in the 500 free, where she swam to victory with a time of 4:50.69. Audrey Coffey came in next for the Huskers, taking third place (4:53.10).

Coffey already looks to be in mid-season form after receiving her victory in the 1000 free, swimming to a quick time of 9:53.80. Coffey already holds the Nebraska record in the 1000 free, conquering that achievement last year. Her time today would have been good for second all time, if she hadn't already held the top spot. Katelyn Kilpatrick followed up the nice performance, landing in third (10:13.35), while Molly Rosenthal finished in fourth (10:13.73).

In the 100 fly, it was senior Izzie Murray who swam to a good second place finish (55.12), followed by Lexi Kucera who finished right behind in third (55.46). Maggie Berning was the first Husker to finish in the 200 fly, where she swam to a third place finish in a tight race, with a time of 2:02.04. Berning was followed by junior transfer, Shannon Stott, who finished in fourth (2:03.22), in her first official race as a Husker. 

Husker sophomore Berkeley Livingston and freshman Gabby Donahue secured good performances in the 200 yard IM. Livingston finished in second place with a time of 2:06.50, while Donahue grabbed third with a time of 2:06.99.

In the 100 yard breaststroke, freshman Ella Stein swam to a great second place finish with a time of 1:04.10. She also captured a third place finish in the 200 yard breast as well (2:21.71). Gabby Baratta finished with a solid fourth place finish in the 200 breast (2:24.96).

In the 100 backstroke, Boise State junior transfer Madesyn Ronquillio grabbed fourth place (56.25) and Gabby Donahue landed in fifth (57.57). Berkeley Livingston would be the first Husker finisher in the 200 back, grabbing fourth (2:05.68).

Abi Knapton led the charge on the diving boards, as the Huskers had a great performance all day in the deep water. In the one meter dive, Knapton was victorious after securing a score of 298.15. Junior Sara Troyer followed up with a good third place score of 276.25. Hallie Roman dove in fourth for the Huskers (260.30).

In the three meter dive, it was again Knapton who took first, diving to a winning score of 343.55. Sara Troyer came in second place, diving to a score of 321.90 and Hallie Roman captured fourth with a score of 270.40.

In the relays, the Huskers performed well, capturing second place in both the 200 yard medley and the 400 yard freestyle relay. In the 200 medley, it was Madesyn Ronquillio, Ella Stein, Caitlin Cairns and Lexi Kucera (1:43.79). The 400 free was led by Autumn Haebig, Lexi Kucera, Caitlin Cairns and Shannon Stott (3:27.35).

The Huskers drop to 0-1 on the season, but will try and even that record at home next weekend. Nebraska will host the Illinois Fighting Illini at 11 AM on Saturday, January 23 for Senior Day at the Devaney Natatorium.