Session 2: Stroud, Giehl and Hutchinson Send Huskers to Friday Night Finals

Lincoln ? Nebraska had an impressive morning of preliminary swims as NU clocked the top times in all three events (500 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle) during Session 2 of the Husker Invitational at the Devaney Natatorium.

 

The Huskers will have 15 competitors in Friday night’s finals, in addition to the 200 freestyle and 400 medley relays.

 

Sophomore Mariah Hutchinson will swim in two A finals, including the 200 individual medley after her time of 2:09.75 led all preliminary heats. She will also compete in the 500 freestyle A final, where freshman Julie Giehl’s prelim mark of 5:02.21 edged out IowaState’s Jenny Vondenkamp (5:02.69) for the No. 1 seed. Freshmen Kelsey Grushecky (5:05.21) and Blaine Hoppenrath (5:09.37) will join Giehl and Hutchinson as the seventh and ninth seeds.

 

The Huskers dominated the 50 freestyle as sophomore Jenna Stroud, senior Lynn Siemert and freshman Jess Andrews finished 1-2-3 overall. Junior Jenny Toler (24.65) and sophomore Hailey Dean (24.88) will also compete in the 50 free A final to give Nebraska half of the competing field.

 

The Huskers largest A final representation will come in the 200 individual medley with six qualifiers (sophomore Christina Yemm, 2:09.75; Dean, 2:10.17; sophomore Kaitlin Arntz, 2:10.55; sophomore Colleen Criss, 2:11.29; freshman Claire Desormey, 2:12.35).

 

Friday night finals begin at 5 p.m.

 

Friday Night’s Events

200-yard Freestyle Relay

500-yard Freestyle

200-yard Individual Medley

One-meter Diving

400-yard Medley Relay