The Nebraska swimming and diving team defeated the South Dakota Coyotes, 177-120, and fell to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 74-226, in their season opener in Minneapolis, Minn. on Friday night.
JoJo Randby and Giulia Marchi both took home first-place finishes in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 freestyle, respectively. Randby topped her competition by nearly a whole second with a time of 1:04.07. Sydney McCracken finished in sixth-place and Amelia Riggott finished in eighth in the 100 breaststroke. Marchi swam an impressive time of 1:52.58 to take the title in the 200 freestyle. Lexi Kucera came in seventh-place and Beatrix Tanko finished 10th.
The Nebraska 200 medley relay team started the night off strong for the Huskers. Randby, Tanko and Marchi teamed with Sarah Barton to finish third with a time of 1:46.11.
Sophomore Gena Jorgenson posted a second-place finish in the 1,000 freestyle with a time of 10:08.81. Minnesota freshman Katie McCarthy took the title with a sub-ten minute finish (9:58.64). Caterina Bisiacchi took fourth for the Huskers (10:31.45).
Minnesota senior Megan Van Berkom racked up three first-place finishes for the Golden Gophers in the 200 butterfly (1:58.66), 200 breaststroke (2:17.19) and 400 IM (4:15.63). Freshman Katie McCarthy also posted two first-place and a second-place finish for the Gophers.
On the one-meter dive, freshman Abby Baxter earned a third-place finish with a 279.90. Kelsey Clairmont finished in fourth (277.55). Minnesota sophomore Vivi Del Angel topped the leaderboard with a score of 324.95.
On the three-meter dive, Baxter finished fourth (273.40) and Clairmont finished fifth (268.75).
The Huskers finish the weekend off in Ames, Iowa with a dual against the Iowa State Cyclones tomorrow, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m.
Nebraska 177, South Dakota 120
Nebraska 74, Minnesota 226
Friday, Oct. 13, 2023
Minneapolis, Minn. (Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center)
Nebraska Champions
100 Breast - JoJo Randby (1:04.07)
200 Freestyle - Giulia Marchi (1:52.58)