Before the Iowa football team kicked off at Kinnick Stadium across the street, hundreds of people packed the stands of the Field House pool for the first meet of the season.
The Iowa women’s swimming team took to the water on Oct. 3 for its annual Black and Gold intrasquad meet. The event was dubbed a “Pink Meet” this year to raise awareness for breast cancer.
“It was a great meet, and it was for a great cause,” head coach Marc Long said. “It was nice to come together for a common cause.”
The Gold team took first in all but three events, giving the women wearing the pink and gold swim caps the victory over the Black team, 157-98.
The meet gave the swimmers a more relaxed climate to race in before their first real meet on Friday at Truman State at 5 p.m. The team solely participated in swimming events only.
The team captains were in charge of selecting the squads and signs such as “Back in Black” and “The Gold Members” decorated the pool deck.
“This meet gives us a fun environment to race before the actual dual meets begin,” junior cocaptain Verity Hicks said. “It gives us a good indication of where we’re at as a team.”
Hicks, who dominated the 500- and 1,000-freestyle events, led the Gold Team. The New Zealand native had first place finishes in both events, defeating the next closest opponent by 9.48 and 16.29 seconds, respectively.
Hicks was also a member of the winning 400 free relay team that closed out the meet.
“Verity had a really good meet,” Iowa assistant coach Frances Malone said. “Overall, it was a real positive meet.”
Four other swimmers finished first in multiple events, as well.
Sophomore cocaptain Danielle Carty won the 100- and 200-yard backstroke, senior Julie Feingold took first in both breaststroke events, and fellow senior Laura Mozdzen finished first in both butterfly races to help lead the Gold team to victory.
Senior Christine Kuczek and junior Kelsie Neubauer also added firsts for the Gold team.
Daniela Cubelic, who won the 100 and 200 freestyle races, finished as the Black team’s top performer. The sophomore also swam the first leg for the 200-yard medley relay team, the only other Black squad member to finish first in the meet.
The team’s next home meet isn’t until the Irving Weber meet on Oct. 23 against Michigan State and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
“We’re really excited to get back into racing mode,” Carty said.