Session 4: Butterfly Highlights Morning Session for Nebraska

Lincoln - Nebraska had 13 of the top 20 100-yard butterfly times in Saturday morning's preliminary session of the Husker Invitational at the Devaney Natatorium. Seven Huskers will compete in the "A" finals on Saturday evening, and an additional six will compete in the "B" finals.

Mariah Hutchinson led the way for the Huskers in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 57.85, the second-fastest preliminary time behind Rice's Angela Wo. Also qualifying for the "A" finals for Nebraska were Kelsey Grushecky, Kaitlin Arntz, Jess Andrews, Hayley Martin, Meredith Matthies and Lydia Ridgeway. The Huskers also had three swimmers qualify for the "A" finals in the 400-yard IM, including Brandie Kavalec, Kelsey Larson and Blaine Hoppenrath.

Caroline Shea led the way for Nebraska in the 200-yard freestyle with the second-fastest preliminary time in the field. Shea finished in 1:55.70 to qualify for the "A" finals Saturday evening. NU's Julie Giehl also qualified for the "A" finals. The Huskers also had a strong showing in the 100-yard breaststroke prelims, as six Huskers qualified for the "A" finals. Hailey Dean had Nebraska's fastest time, finishing in 1:06.02.

Nebraska's Ellan Dufour had the fastest 100-yard backstroke time, as she finished more than a second ahead of the rest of the field with a time of 58.51. Shea, Martin and Ridgeway also had times among the top 10 in the preliminary heats for the 100-yard backstroke and will be swimming in the "A" finals in the event on Saturday evening.

The 800-yard freestyle relay was moved ahead from the evening session to the morning, won by Nebraska with a time of 7:41.64. Rice took second and third and Nebraska's "B" team came in fourth.

Saturday evening's finals session will begin at 4 p.m. Nebraska leads the meet going into Session 5 with 730 points, followed by Rice with 595, South Dakota State with 354.5 and UNO with 316.5.

Results
800 Freestyle Relay
1. Nebraska - 7:41.64
2. Rice - 7:42.62
3. Rice - 7:45.93

Saturday's finals schedule (4 p.m.)
200 Medley Relay
400 IM
100 Butterfly
200 Freestyle
100 Breaststroke
100 Backstroke
Three Meter Diving