Huskers Win Big Challenge

Topeka, Kan.- The Nebraska swimming team capped of an impressive weekend by claiming first-place at the Big Challenge. In total, Nebraska set three meet relay records as well as two records set individually by Taryn Collura. Nebraska finished in first-place with 969 points. Kansas followed in second with 892 points, while Illinois finished in third with 763.5 points.

Nebraska kicked off Sunday afternoon’s final session with a strong showing in the 1,650-yard freestyle. Katt Sickle led the Huskers earning a third-place finish after swimming a time of 16:47.23. Kaylyn Flatt was outstanding for Nebraska as well. The freshman earned a sixth-place finish racing to a time of 17:02.85.

1,650-Yard Freestyle

3. Katt Sickle – 16:47.23
6. Kaylyn Flatt – 17:02.85
8. Brooke Holmes – 17:20.73
11. Aimee Fischer – 17:41.19

Erin Oeltjen and Anna McDonald led the way for Nebraska in the 200-yard backstroke. Oeltjen finished in a tie for second-place swimming a career-best time of 1:58.68. McDonald finished right behind Oeltjen in fourth after swimming a career-best time of 1:59.99.

200-Yard Backstroke

2. Erin Oeltjen – 1:58.68 (Career Best)
4. Anna McDonald – 1:59.99 (Career Best)
8. Morgan McCafferty – 2:02.37
11. Jackie Jeschke – 2:02.50
12. Lindsay Helferich – 2:03.51
14. Cassie Brassard – 2:03.94
18. Jacqueline Juffer – 2:04.93
31. Brooke Holmes – 2:10.47

Collura continued her dominant weekend adding a first-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle. Collura’s career-best time of 49.00 was fast enough to set a new meet record. Bria Deveaux was Nebraska’s next top performer in the event finishing in 10th-place with a time of 51.32.

100-Yard Freestyle

1. Taryn Collura – 49.00 (Meet Record) (Career Best)
10. Bria Deveaux – 51.32 (Season Best)
23. Alexandra Bilunas – 52.76

Jordan Ehly continued her strong weekend earning a second-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke, racing to a time of 2:15.16. Katie Ditter was also a strong performer in the event finishing in fifth-place after posting a time of 2:17.69.

200-Yard Breaststroke

2. Jordan Ehly – 2:15.16
5. Katie Ditter – 2:17.69
11. Samantha Hardewig – 2:20.63
14. Bridget Pacilio – 2:23.06 (Season Best)
16. Krista Van Wie – 2:23.60
21. Michaela Cunningham – 2:26.11 (Season Best)

Dana Posthuma and Julia Roller were Nebraska’s top performers in the 200-yard butterfly. Posthuma led the way with a fifth-place finish posting a career-best time of 2:01.95. Roller finished in sixth-place racing to a time of 2:02.41.

200-Yard Butterfly

5. Dana Posthuma – 2:01.95 (Career Best)
6. Julia Roller – 2:02.41
9. Bria Deveaux -2:02.43 (Career Best)
12. Jackie Jeschke – 2:05.87
17. Aimee Fischer – 2:06.76 (Career Best)

Nebraska capped off the weekend in dominating fashion earning a first-place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The team of Collura, Oeltjen, Deveaux and Helferich raced to a time of 3:22.17 setting a new meet record.

Collura and Oeltjen were both named to the Big Challenge All-Star team. Collura racked up three-first place finishes and set two meet records in individual events. Collura was also part of three meet-record setting relay teams. Oeltjen racked up three top-five finishes, including a second-place finish in today’s 200-yard backstroke. Oeltjen was also a part of two meet-record setting relay teams.

Nebraska’s swimmers will be back in action Thursday, Dec. 3, as they travel to Federal Way, Wash., to compete at the USA Winter National Championships. That meet will run from Thursday, Dec. 3 to Saturday, Dec. 5. Check back into Huskers.com for any and all updates regarding the Nebraska swimming team.