The Nebraska swimming and diving team sent the seniors home happy with a 70 point victory in the Big Ten opener vs Illinois on Senior Day, winning 185-115. The five Husker seniors that were honored before the meet were Tori Beeler, Carla Gonzalez, Savanna Savitt, Lindsey Stalheim and Gwen Worlton. The seniors helped Nebraska in a big way combining for 40 points and paving the way to a victory over the Fighting Illini. The win today propels Nebraska to 5-1 in duals and an undefeated season at home.
The Huskers started off strong, winning the 200 medley relay in the first of two this morning. It was the Nebraska A relay that finished first (1:45.10) in a tight race, featuring Haebig, Worlton, Murray, and Beeler. In 200 freestyle relay, it was the Nebraska A Relay crossing second (1:37.06), with swimmers Haebig, Gonzalez, Savitt and Barth. The Nebraska B relay finished close behind and finished in third (1:38.71), with Pentlarge, Worlton, Murray and Lanaghen.
Sara Troyer had another nice outing on the diving boards, winning both the one meter (274.13) and three meter (339.00) dives. Her score in the three meter dive proved to be more than enough and even gave her a new career best, breaking her previous best of 326.32. Grace Tiernon landed in third place in the one meter (236.33), while Roman was just three points behind, landing in fourth (233.18). Roman also captured second place in the three meter (265.43), while Tiernon grabbed fourth (238.80).
Tori Beeler had a great senior day, winning two events and finishing another in second. She took home first place in the 200 IM (2:03.91), which makes it four total victories in that race on the season. Berkeley Livingston rallied behind Beeler, grabbing third place (2:08.13).
In the breaststroke races, it was seniors Tori Beeler and Gwen Worlton swapping victories. Beeler grabbed her second victory of the afternoon in the 100 breast (1:04.85), while Worlton grabbed second place (1:05.08). In the 200 breast, Worlton finished ahead, winning the race (2:19.41), while Beeler snagged second in a close race (2:20.09).
Madison Coughlen had another strong performance for the Huskers today as well, dominating in the butterfly events. Starting with the 200 fly, the first three finishers were Huskers, lead by Coughlen taking the crown (2:01.70). Berkeley Livingston swam to a solid second place finish (2:05.53), while Maggie Berning was just behind, finishing in third (2:05.65). In the 100 fly, it was Coughlen again who took first place (55.91), who was then followed by Kaitlyn Barth in third place (57.47) and Izzie Murray rounding out the bunch, grabbing fourth (57.84).
In the 200 backstroke, Berkeley Livingston was the first Husker to finish. She managed another good second place finish (2:05.52), while Jessica Pentlarge grabbed third plcae (2:06.00). In the 100 back, Lindsey Stalheim grabbed fourth place (57.87) while Jessica Pentlarge landed in fifth (58.57).
The Huskers swept the Illini in the 1000 yard freestyle handily, with Rachel Powers, Katelyn Kilpatrick and Molly Rosenthal. Powers lead the way, winning her third race of the season (10:21.58). Kilpatrick was just behind, swimming to a good second place finish (10:23.08), while Rosenthal pulled up next in third place (10:25.74). Audrey Coffey won her first race of the afternoon in the 500 yard freestyle (4:58.17), while Rachel Powers (5:05.79) and Maggie Berning (5:07.09) finished in fourth and fifth places, respectively.
Autumn Haebig had control of the short freestyle events, winning both the 100 yard free (51.30) and the 200 free (1:50.17), which puts her victory total to six on the year. Audrey Coffey swam to a third place finish in the 200 free (1:53.04), while Savannah Savitt landed in fourth (1:54.71). Finishing in third place of the 100 free was senior Carla Gonzalez (53.28), while fellow senior Savitt grabbed fifth (53.67).
In the 50 yard freestyle, it was Kaitlyn Barth who swam to a solid third place finish (24.48) and Sutton Marvin who grabbed fifth (24.74).
The Huskers finished out the home season at the Devaney Natatorium with a 3-0 record in duals, and improve to 5-1 in duals on the year. The Fighting Illini drop to 4-6-1, with a fifth straight loss in duals. Nebraska's next meet will take place in Piscataway, New Jersey against Big Ten opponent Rutgers. The Huskers face the Scarlet Nights in a two-day dual from Saturday, Jan. 31 at 4 PM through Sunday, Feb.1 starting at 9 AM.
Huskers break down the huddle after senior day activities