Huskers Make Big Splash in Illinois

Nebraska swim and dive showed a well-rounded team effort in the Big Ten matchup against Illinois on Saturday, with eight different individuals capturing an event title in the 178-122 victory.

"We were expecting some great energy and excitement from Illinois and they delivered," Nebraska head coach Pablo Morales said. "Our team had a great intensity. There were some key races and that was one of our goals. Before the meet we talked about getting some close wins and we got some good touches there at the end. I'm happy with where our girls are in their season right now. We are coming off some really hard training so they are in a fatigued state right now and we still got some really good performances."

The strong distance corps got the wins rolling in Champaign, Ill. with senior Audrey Coffey placing first in the 1650 free (16:59.82) and junior Molly Rosenthal finishing hard to claim third (17:17.38).

Senior Sara Troyer owned the diving well, walking away with two titles and a career-best dive in the three-meter (382.35). Sophomore Reagan Hinze also provided a strong effort, finishing as runner-up in the one-meter (267.90) and placing third in the three-meter (298.13).

Senior co-captain Madesyn Ronquillio led the charge on the swim side with victories in the 100 back (56.56) and the 200 back (2:01.03). In both events, the Huskers swept the top three spots, with freshman Madison Lloyd finishing as runner-up (58.02) in the 100 back and sophomore Gabby Donahue taking third (58.28). Right behind Ronquillio (Tracy, Calif.) in the 200 back, finished sophomore Sarah Barton (2:03.77) in second and Lloyd (Kingwood, Texas) in third (2:03.88).

Sophomore Ella Stein and freshman Maia Hall teamed up to dominate the breaststroke events, with Stein (Hudson, Wis.) winning the 100 breast with a 1:05.07 and Hall (Whitby, England) claiming the 200 breast title with a 2:21.32. Stein provided another top performance in the 200 breast to take third (2:22.57), while freshman Sydney McCracken swam to second in the 100 breast with a 1:05.21.

In the 500 free, the Huskers put up big points with freshman Ilaria Murzilli swimming to victory (4:57.78), senior Autumm Haebig placing second (5:01.47) and Rosenthal (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) taking third (5:04.18). Haebig (Grafton, Wis.) recorded two additional individual runner-up finishes in the 100 free (51.59) and 200 free (1:50.78).

In the 200 fly, senior Shannon Stott captured the title with a 2:02.39 while fellow senior Maggie Berning finished third (2:04.81). Stott (St. Albans, Great Britain) has continuously dominated the 200 fly this season and now has six victories in the event this year. Continuing the butterfly success, sophomore Lexi Kucera won the 100 fly (57.13) while Stott placed second with a 57.29. Kucera (Hutchinson, Minn.) added a third-place finish in the 50 free with a 24.36.

In the 400 IM, junior Berkeley Livingston swam to a runner-up finish with a 4:27.86 and Barton took third with a 4:30.47. 

To cap off the dual, freshman JoJo Randby and junior Emily Haimes joined Haebig and Kucera to place second in the 200 free relay with a 1:35.56.

Nebraska (6-1, 2-1) 178 vs. Illinois (5-3, 1-2) 122
Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022
Champaign, Ill. (Arc Pool)

Nebraska Champions
1,650 Freestyle - Audrey Coffey (16:59.82)
100 Backstroke - Madesyn Ronquillio (56.56)
100 Breaststroke - Ella Stein (1:05.07)
200 Butterfly - Shannon Stott (2:02.39)
3-Meter Diving - Sara Troyer (382.35)
200 Backstroke - Madesyn Ronquillio (2:01.03)
200 Breaststroke - Maia Hall (2:21.32)
500 Freestyle - Ilaria Murzilli (4:57.78)
100 Butterfly - Lexi Kucera (57.13)
1-Meter Diving - Sara Troyer (303.83)