OMAHA, Neb. – Celebrating Senior Night, the Omaha swimming & diving program delivered a 196-98 team win against South Dakota State Friday evening, capping its home slate at H&K Pool.
The Mavericks won a total of 15 events against the Jackrabbits and improve to 3-5 overall and 2-1 in conference dual meet action. Omaha also honored seniors
Kylene Abraham,
Grete Baker,
Annika Clinton,
Madison Ewald,
Indiga Hadford,
Kirsten Kracke,
Isabelle Robuck and
Kylie Vermeire.
"I'm very proud of our seniors because they have grown so much and contribute in more ways than just swimming," said head coach
Todd Samland. "The culture of our team is stronger and better because of them. They are so talented and have so much potential after college. It is going to bring much joy to watch the many adventurous paths they blaze."
Several seniors shined as Vermeire, Clinton, Kracke and Baker all won multiple individual events. Vermeire took home victories in the 200-yard back (2:11.44) and a season-best 1000-yard free (10:38.25). Baker had a pair of first-place finishes in 200-yard fly (2:10.52) and the 200-yard IM (2:13.39) and was runner-up in the 200 back (2:14.24).
Kracke also had two top finishes in the 100-yard back (1:00.44) and the 50-yard free (25.15). Clinton was the last of the seniors to win multiple events, as she took home top scores in the 3-meter and 1-meter dives with an identical 261.22.
Rachel Morrow also tallied two individual top finishes for the meet, recording victories in the 200-yard free (1:55.44) and the 100-yard free (53.66). Teammates
Lizzy Giese,
Bethany Gatlin and
Abbey Mitchell also had wins for the Mavericks. Giese swam a 5:18.60 in the 500-yard free to finish atop the standings, while Gatlin recorded a 58.92 in the 100-yard fly to finish first. Mitchell took the top spot in the 200-yard breast (2:27.53).
Lastly, the Mavericks swept the relay events with the 200-yard medley relay and the 400-yard free relay. The quartet of Kracke, Gatlin, Morrow and Mitchell won the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:50.23. For the 400 free relay, Vermeire, Abraham, Morrow and Kracke tallied a time of 3:35.57 to win the event.
"This was a good meet for us to look at the conference championships coming up in four weeks," said Samland. "We have a lineup in mind, but we are always looking for the next breakout performance to give us momentum. I thought we had some very good performances and our seniors had one of their best meets of the year, winning multiple events."
Omaha now sets its sights on competitions the weekend of Feb. 1-2. The swimmers head to Sioux Falls, S.D., to compete in the Coyote Invitational, while the divers travel to the UIC Invite in Chicago, Ill., on Feb 2. For more information on results, records and updates, visit OMavs.com.
