Four Huskers Headed to Finals After Session Six

Ann Arbor, Mich.- The Nebraska swimming and diving team earned four finals trips and four NCAA B cuts Saturday morning during session six of the 2016 Big Ten Championships. Nebraska had competitors in the 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke and 200-yard butterfly in the final preliminary session of the weekend.

In the morning's first event, the 200-yard backstroke preliminaries, Erin Oeltjen led the Huskers swimming a career-best and NCAA B Cut time of 1:57.46, earning 15th-place and a spot in tonight’s B Final.  Lindsay Helferich also earned a spot in the finals tonight by swimming a time of 1:58.68, fast enough for 22nd-place. Jacqueline Jeschke was Nebraska’s next top-performer swimming a career-best time of 1:59.21 to secure 27th-place.

200-Yard Backstroke Preliminary Results
15th - Erin Oeltjen, 1:57.46 (Career Best, NCAA B Cut)
22nd - Lindsay Helferich, 1:58.68 (Career Best, NCAA B Cut)
27th – Jacqueline Jeschke, 1:59.21 (Career Best)
35th – Anna McDonald, 2:00.63
36th – Cassandra Brassard, 2:00.71
41st – Morgan McCafferty, 2:02.22
54th – Jacqueline Juffer, 2:09.25

In the 100-yard freestyle, Taryn Collura continued her outstanding meet, capturing an 11th-place finish with her NCAA B Cut time of 49.55, earning a spot in Saturday evening's finals. Bria Deveaux swam a career-best time in the event, notching a 37th-place finish with a time of 50.84.

100-Yard Freestyle Preliminary Results
11th - Taryn Collura, 49.55 (NCAA B Cut)
37th - Bria Deveaux, 50.84 (Career Best)
48th – Alexandra Bilunas, 51.19

In the 200-yard breaststroke, Nebraska was led by Jordan Ehly. Ehly earned a spot in tonight’s finals after finishing in 21st-place with her NCAA B Cut time of 2:15.15. Samantha Hardewig was the Huskers’ next top performer, finishing in a time of 2:16.52 for 31st-place. Katie Ditter set a new career-best, racing to a time of 2:16.75 for 34th-place.

200-Yard Breaststroke Preliminary Results
21st - Jordan Ehly, 2:15.15 (NCAA B Cut)
31st - Samantha Hardewig, 2:16.52
34th - Katie Ditter, 2:16.75 (Career Best)
43rd – Bridget Pacilio, 2:18.70 (Career Best)
48th - Krista Van Wie, 2:20.66 (Career Best) 
54th - Michaela Cunningham, 2:22.55 (Career Best)

Dana Posthuma was Nebraska’s lone competitor in the 200-yard butterfly. Posthuma set a new career-best, racing to a time of 2:00.96 earning a 28th-place finish.

200-Yard Butterfly Preliminary Results
28th – Dana Posthuma, 2:00.96 (Career Best)

The final session of the Big Ten Championships, including the finals of Saturday morning's events, the platform dive, the 1,650-yard freestyle and the 400-yard freestyle relay, will take place on Saturday evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. Check back in to Huskers.com following the final session for updates.