New Huskers Make Splash in Win Over UNO

Lincoln, Neb. - In its first of two home meets this weekend, the Nebraska swimming and diving team won 13 of 16 events to defeat in-state foe Nebraska-Omaha at the Devaney Center Pool Friday evening to kick off Parent’s Weekend.

Junior Lauren Bailey dominated in her first 1,650-yard freestyle race of the season by setting an NCAA-provisional qualifying mark of 16:43.03 to take first, but it was two freshmen, Jenny Toler and Christina Yemm, who stuck out in Assistant Coach Doug Humphrey’s mind following the 195-98 team victory.

"What stood out was that a couple of our freshmen went beyond what they expected to do," Humphrey said. "They swam lifetime bests and it was unexpected because they didn’t swim in the events that they normally swim. The talent of the youth is good to see with a small freshman class and all three of them are doing phenomenal."

The pair took two victories in the meet in lifetime best performances, as Toler won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:54.99 and Yemm won the 100-yard butterfly in 58.70. Each also took a runner-up finish, with Yemm finishing second in the 200-yard butterfly behind Bailey (2:11.53), and Toler claiming second in the 50-yard freestyle behind sophomore Lynn Siemert (25.00) while edging out freshman Jenna Stroud and senior Kate Dulgar.

Senior Amie Buoy controlled the diving boards by sweeping the competitions for the second straight weekend with scores of 292.45 on the three-meter and 253.70 on the one-meter.

Junior co-captain Kate Wheeler and senior Rachel Schlatter combined for four victories, as Wheeler took first in the 100- (53.62) and 500-yard freestyles, and Schlatter captured both the 100- (1:06.94) and 200-yard (2:24.87) breaststroke events.

Junior Bailey Ingles picked up the Huskers’ remaining individual victory in the 100-yard backstroke (1:00.57), and NU wrapped up its win total in the 400-yard medley relay (junior co-captain Emilee Crawford, sophomore Adrienne Goodman, senior Alex King and freshman Jenna Stroud).

The win improved Nebraska’s all-time record against UNO to 10-0, giving the Huskers momentum into tomorrow’s meet with Northern Iowa.

"Any time we swim at home, especially Parent’s Weekend, the team steps up their game a little bit," Humphrey said. "We are staying together as a team, and tomorrow is going to allow us to see some of our depth because people won’t necessarily be swimming their strongest events. It will be a chance to cross-train a little bit."

The Huskers take on the Panthers tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Devaney Center Pool.

Scouting the Northern Iowa Panthers

Nebraska is a 2-0 all time against Northern Iowa.

The Panthers opened their season on Friday night by dropping a 160-128 decision to the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D.

The Panthers finished fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference a year ago, but return 10 letterwinners to the team this season, led by the lone senior, Kendra Ryan.

UNI and NU have similarities in schedules this season, as the Panthers also take on Nebraska-Omaha and Iowa State later this year.