The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Women’s swimmers beat Iowa State

It was another night for the record books when the Hawkeyes dominated the pool against Iowa State on Dec. 12. It marked Iowa’s fifth-consecutive win against the Cyclones in the Cy-Hawk series, and the Hawkeyes capitalized on their potential as the young team continued to prove it has what it takes to win.

“I’m so proud of this group for having such a great one-week period and preparing as well as we did for this one,” head coach Marc Long said. “Iowa State always brings their best when they come here, and it was good to get a win tonight. We have a lot of Iowa kids on the team, and so do they, so it always makes for a competitive and emotional meet.”

Iowa State came into the matchup 5-1 with a veteran lineup ready for redemption and the bragging rights in the Cy-Hawk series. Instead, Iowa’s young lineup took command while continuing to break school records and claim a 206-94 victory over the Cyclones.

After the Hawkeye Invitational on Dec. 5, Long was happy with his team’s performance but thought there was still some gas left in the tank.

He proved to be right. The Hawkeyes swam to record-breaking times and won 14 of the 16 events during the meet.

“I know we have made step towards our breakthrough swims,” sophomore Emma Sougstad said. “But I know there is so much left in the tank for our team.”

Sougstad was able to break two more school records against the Cyclones. She placed first in the 100 breaststroke, touching with a time of 1:00.14, and earned first place in the 200 breaststroke at 2:11.71.

Nine Hawkeyes qualified for NCAA B cut times. And divers continued to execute in the well with a 1-2-3 Iowa finish on the 3-meter dive and senior Lauren Kelba winning the 1-meter competition (282.83), followed by Iowa senior Joelle Christy (269.4/third) and sophomore Lydia Lehnert (259.43/fourth).

The Iowa freshmen combined for five wins, led by Meghan Lavelle in the 100 and 200 backstroke and Tereysa Lehnertz in the 100 butterfly.

Junior Olivia Kabacinski continued to stand out, winning the opening 200-medley relay (1:40.6) with freshman Rowan Hauber, Sougstad, and freshman Carly O’Brien. The leading sprinter was also able to qualify for another NCAA B cut time in the 100 freestyle at 49.82.

“We have been having some good training in the pool,” senior Becky Stoughton said. “It has led us to some exciting breakthroughs.”

The exhibition 50-freestyle competition between the Iowa head wrestling coach Tom Brands and associate head coach Terry Brands brought people to their feet for the intense matchup, and Tom Brands came out on top, finishing at 35.52 seconds.

In the end, Iowa claimed bragging rights against its in-state rival.

“At the end of the day, you want to be in NCAAs,” Long said. “And we have several people that are right there.”

Follow @shelbystites on Twitter for news, updates, and analysis about the Iowa women’s swimming and diving team.

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