By Carter Melrose
It was a big week for senior Emma Sougstad in the pool at the NCAA Championships.
The week consisted of her racing in the 200 breast, 100 breast, and 200 individual medley at this year’s meet, from March 15-18. It was also her last meet as a Hawkeye — and it was one to remember.
Sougstad was accompanied by two of her teammates — senior Calli Head and freshman Thelma Strandberg.In the 100 breaststroke, Sougstad narrowly scraped into the “A” finals with a time of 59.06. That’s where Sougstad caught fire — the finals. She swam a 58.79, dismantling the school record. It was fast enough to snatch up sixth place and also crown the senior with All-American honors.
Then, in the 200 breaststroke, Sougstad continued her inspired racing with a career-best time, 2:10.47, and was able to finish 23rd. This was her last race as an Iowa Hawkeye. It wasn’t her best event, though she raced a career-best.
In the 200 IM Sougstad didn’t have as much luck. She was only able to muster 32nd place in a stacked field.
This brought the diving portion of the week, during which Head was able to dive platform, her best event, at an All-American level. It was her last event as a Hawkeye. With 280.45 points in the finals of the platform dive, Head gained sixth place.
While seniors Sougstad and Head will soon look back at their swimming careers, Strandberg should be looking ahead at her bright future. She competed in the platform competition and was able to finish 35th in the country, beating many upper-class divers in the event.
This brings the Iowa women’s swimming and diving season to a close, capped off by All-American honors for both Head and Sougstad.