Haebig, Murzilli Earn Spots in U.S. Open Finals

The second day of competition at the U.S. Open Championships was highlighted by two Huskers swimming their way to spots in the 400-meter freestyle C-final on Thursday night. 

"It is great this group accepted the challenge to compete at this elite level competition. The more we can do this, the more we get used to learning how to compete alongside the best in the nation," Nebraska head coach Pablo Morales said.

Prelims took place Thursday morning at the four-day event with senior Autumn Haebig, freshman Ilaria Murzilli and senior Audrey Coffey competing in the 400-meter freestyle. Haebig (Grafton, Wis.) provided the top finish for the Big Red with an 18th-place finish (4:21.42), while Murzilli (Rome, Italy) finished just inside the C-final mark with a 24th place from her 4:25.39 swim. Coffey (Naperville, Ill.) rounded out the swimmers in the event, picking up a 29th-place finish with a 4:35.18.

Due to the injury of another swimmer, Haebig got the opportunity to swim in the B-final. She rose to the challenge by shaving five seconds off her prelims time (4:16.78) to finish fifth in the B-final and 13th overall among the talented field.

"Autumn stepped up as usual and gave a great swim in the B-final tonight, in a time close to her best," Morales said.

Murzilli followed suit and cut over two seconds off her time in the prelims to swim a 4:23.27, nabbing fifth place in the C-final and 21st overall.

JoJo Randby capped off the Husker swimmers on the day, with an appearance in the 50-meter freestyle. The freshman from Omaha, Neb. finished 32nd with a 27.25.

Coffey was the lone Nebraska competitor in the first evening of competition (Dec. 1), where she placed 17th in the 800-meter freestyle.

The action continues tomorrow, kicked off by freshman Milica Opacic in the 100m butterfly and Haebig in the 200m freestyle. In the 100 breaststroke, the Huskers will have three swimmers including sophomore Ella Stein and the freshmen duo of Maia Hall and JoJo Randby. Fellow seniors and co-captains, Madesyn Ronquillio and Haebig, will round out the Nebraska lineup tomorrow in the 100 backstroke. Prelims are set to begin at 9 a.m. (CT) with finals starting at 6 p.m. (CT).

U.S. Open Championships
Greensboro, N.C.
December 1-4
Prelims: 9 a.m. (CT)
Finals: 6 p.m. (CT)

Order of Events:
Friday
400 IM
100 Butterfly (Milica Opacic)
200 Freestyle (Autumn Haebig)
100 Breaststroke (Maia Hall, Ella Stein, JoJo Randby)
100 Backstroke (Autumn Haebig, Madesyn Ronquillio)

Saturday
1500 Freestyle (Audrey Coffey)
200 Backstroke (Madesyn Ronquillio)
100 Freestyle (Autumn Haebig)
200 Breaststroke (Maia Hall, Ella Stein, JoJo Randby)
200 Butterfly (Shannon Stott)