The Hawks posted wins over Michigan State and Northern Iowa in a double dual.
By Jake Mosbach
On Oct. 16, the Hawkeye women’s swimming and diving team earned two impressive victories against Michigan State and Northern Iowa in the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center.
The Hawks beat the Spartans, 165-132, and downed the Panthers, 204.5-92. They won 12 of the afternoon’s events along the way.
Hawkeye head coach Marc Long said he was most impressed by the performance of the young members of his team. Freshman Abbey Schneider captured victories in the 1,000 free and 500 free.
“We’re seeing some really young people step up and win events,” Long said. “That’s really important for us as we look down the road. And even if they’re not winning, we’re starting to see them have breakthroughs.”
Schneider’s victories came in times of 10:17.48 in the 1,000, and 5:01.71 in the 500.
“Whenever I race, I just do the best that I can and not think about anything else,” she said before the meet.
The upperclassmen also stepped up for the Hawks, with team leader junior Emma Sougstad racking up points.
Sougstad collected victories in the 200 individual medley and the 50 free as well as participating on the 200-medley relay.
“It was an exciting day for us,” she said. “Collectively as a team, we really came together today. We’ve got a great group, and we’re going to do some really cool things.”
A long off-season of workouts and tough training prepared the Hawks for the double dual as well as the long Big Ten schedule that awaits them.
But Sougstad said the sense of community among the closely knit team was the determining factor in the two wins.
“[Oct. 16] We learned what a great community we have,” she said. “It’s awesome to look behind my lane after a race and see my teammates there. It’s just really awesome to see everyone putting the team first.”
Senior Olivia Kabacinski had strong performances against the Spartans and Panthers, posting wins in the 100 free (50.98) and 200 free (1:51.69).
Kabacinski also participated on the winning 200-medley relay, with senior Allie Orvis, freshman Kelly McNamara, and Sougstad. They touched in 1:43.44.
McNamara was also victorious in the 100 fly, touching in 56.24.
A trio of sophomores posted individual wins for Iowa with Shea Hoyt in the 100 breast (1:05.95), Tereysa Lehnertz in the 200 fly (2:03.14), and Meghan Lavelle in the 200 back (2:04.11).
In the diving well, sophomore Morgan Rafferty led the way, collecting top-five finishes in the 3-meter (runner-up) and 1-meter (fourth).
The Hawks have a two-week break before they’re back in action, hosting Minnesota on Oct. 30. Long said he would make sure that the Hawkeyes don’t lose their victorious edge during the break.
“We’re going to hit the weight room, and we’re going to have great skill sessions in the pool,” Long said. “That’s just part of the process of getting better.”
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