Nebraska Swims Past Rutgers in First Session

Nebraska captured five titles during the first session of the Rutgers dual at Devaney Natatorium on Friday night, powering them to a 75-37 lead heading into the second day.

"This is kind of a tune-up meet for Big Tens," Nebraska head coach Pablo Morales said. "We split it into two sessions and they get the chance to race well and race in the event that they will be competing in at Big Tens. I think we are off to a great start. The intensity and focus was great. We have some times that were right on lifetime bests already and they are not fully peaked yet. We are going to carry this over to session two and finish this thing off."

The Huskers took the top five spots in the 500 freestyle, an effort that was led by senior Autumn Haebig clocking in at 4:46.81. Freshman Ilaria Murzilli finished as runner-up with a 4:52.26, while senior Shannon Stott took third (4:52.39). Haebig (Grafton, Wis.) also notched a runner-up finish in the 100 freestyle with a 50.05, while sophomore Lexi Kucera finished third with a 50.71.

For the second straight meet, the Huskers took the top three spots in the 200 backstroke. Senior Madesyn Ronquillio led the solid group by claiming her ninth backstroke victory of the season (1:58.19). Sophomore Sarah Barton finished in second (1:59.44) and freshman Madison Lloyd took third (1:59.88).

Freshman Maia Hall and sophomore Ella Stein joined forces in the breaststroke to take first and second. Hall (Whitby, England) swam a career-best time of 2:14.44 to win the event, while Stein (Hudson, Wis.) was runner-up with a 2:16.80.

In the 200 IM, Lincoln-native Berkeley Livingston swam nearly a career-best time (2:02.59) to win the event. Barton (Huntersville, N.C.) swam a 2:03.84 to finish third in the event.

In the 200 butterfly, two Husker swimmers earned spots in the top-three, with Stott taking second (1:59.05) and senior Maggie Berning swimming to third (2:00.18).

NU capped off the evening with a relay win, as Haebig and Kucera teamed with junior Emily Haimes and freshman JoJo Randby in the 200 freestyle relay.

In the diving well, senior Sara Troyer placed second in the one-meter with a 286.42.

Sofia Chichaikina provided solid performances for the Scarlet Knights with wins in the 100 freestyle (50.02) and the 200 butterfly (1:59.03).

Nebraska and Rutgers will return to competition tomorrow at 10 a.m. (CT), with live scoring on the Meet Mobile app and live video streamed through Huskers.com.

Nebraska vs. Rutgers
Jan. 28-29, 2022 (5 p.m./ 10 a.m.)
Devaney Center Natatorium (Lincoln, Neb.)
 
Saturday's Order of Events:
1M Diving
400 Medley Relay
1650 Free
50 Free
-Break-
100 Back
100 Breast
100 Fly
200 Free
-Break-
400 IM
400 Free Relay