Huskers Start Strong Against Jackrabbits and Mavs

Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska swimming and diving team delivered a commanding performance at the Devaney Natatorium on Friday, cruising past South Dakota State, 223-77, and defeating Omaha, 200-99, in a home double dual.

Two-time All-American Gena Jorgenson swam her way to a trio of gold medal finishes, while junior Beatrix Tanko grabbed a pair of top finishes to highlight the season-opening double dual. Jorgenson, the senior from Aberdeen, S.D., swept the 1,000 free (10:03.42), 200 back (2:02.96) and the 200 IM (2:06.76). The Hungarian swimmer swam in the 50 free (23.24) and 100 (51.35). 

The 500 freestyle was dominated by the Big Red. Marissa Laurin took first swimming a 5:03.89, with Riley Miklos following with a 5:06.51 and newcomer Aurora Zanin from Vittorio Veneto, Italy (5:10.75) garnered third. Laurin, a sophomore from Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada, went on to place second in the 100 back swimming a 28.02 and third in the 200 IM (2:08.17). 

Co-captain Giulia Marchi took second in the 200 free (1:52.89) as well as the 100 free (52.68). Jazmyn Lunn from Brookings, S.D., swam in the 100 fly (4th, 58.23) and the 200 fly (2nd, 2:06.58).

Sophomore Riley Miklos displayed impressive performances with a win in the 200 free (1:52.25) and second in the 500 free (5:06.51). Redshirt sophomore Jenna Brown added times of her own in the 200 free (6th, 1:57.60) and the 100 free (10th, 55.17). 

Omaha native Alaira Hadford made her Husker debut in the 1,000 free, nabbing a second-place finish with a time of 10:29.13. She also swam in the 200 free, where she placed seventh with a 2:09.95. 

True freshmen Natalie Dunaway and Sophie Kissuk put in impressive times in their respective events. Dunaway placed second in the 50 free with a 23.97, while Kissuk racked a fourth-place in the 200 back (2:07.93). 

Newcomer Aurora Zanin clocked a top finish in the 200 fly with a 2:05.18. Hailing from Vittorio Veneto, Italy, Zanin added a third-place position in the 500 free, touching the wall at 5:10.75. 

Nebraska swept the relay competition with the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays. A team of Virginia Consiglio, Amelia Riggott, Tanko, and Dunaway swam the event in 1:42.31. Giulia Marchi, Miklos, Jorgenson, and Tanko swam a 3:28.05 in the 400 freestyle relay. 

The Huskers dominated the one- and three-meter boards, securing the top four positions. Abby Baxter notched a 316.10 on the one-meter and 292.95 on the three-meter board. Kelsey Clairmont took second on both with 296.60 and 261.25, respectively. True freshman Addy Farman held fourth on the one-meter board (237.20) and third on the three-meter board (271.50). Senior Frankie Webb took third on the one-meter board (254.05) and fourth on the three-meter board (254.95). 

The Huskers will travel to Minneapolis, Minn., to take on the Golden Gophers and Coyotes in a double dual on Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. They will then travel to Ames, Iowa, to battle the Cyclones on Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. (CT). 

Nebraska 223, South Dakota State 77
Nebraska 200, Omaha 99
Omaha 217, South Dakota State 83
Friday, Oct. 3, 2024
Lincoln, Neb. (Bob Devaney Natatorium)

Nebraska Champions
50 Freestyle – Beatrix Tanko – 23.24
200 Freestyle – Riley Miklos – 1:52.25
100 Freestyle – Beatrix Tanko – 51.35
500 Freestyle – Marissa Laurin – 5:03.89
1,000 Freestyle – Gena Jorgenson – 10:03.42
100 Breast – Amelia Riggott – 1:04.46
200 Butterfly – Aurora Zanin – 2:05.18
200 Backstroke – Gena Jorgenson – 2:02.96
200 IM – Gena Jorgenson – 2:06.76