Honors & Awards

  • Four Letters (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
  • Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2019, 2020, 2021)
  • Academic All-Big Ten (2019, 2020, 2021)
  • Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020; Spring 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
  • Sam Foltz 27 Hero Leadership Award (2021)
  • Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
2020-21 (Senior)
Jessica Pentlarge wrapped up her Nebraska swimming career by competing in the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke at the 2021 Big Ten Championships in Minneapolis. Pentlarge tied for 45th in 200 free with a season-best 1:51.20, before closing the meet with a 51st-place finish in the 100 backstroke in a season-best 57.92.

During an abbreviated regular season, Pentlarge earned a top-five finish with her fifth-place effort in the 200 back on Senior Day against Illinois. She competed alongside her younger sister, Catie, who was a freshman for the Huskers in 2020-21.

2019-20 (Junior)
Pentlarge was one of Nebraska’s top performers in the backstroke and sprint freestyle events in 2019-20. She swam to a career-best 2:00.05 to finish 36th in the 200 back at the Big Ten Championships. Her time in the 200 back was NU’s best of the season in the event. Her time of 57.20 in the 100 back at the Mizzou Invitational was also a career best. She added a 45th-place effort with a season-best 1:49.63 in the 200-yard freestyle at the Big Ten meet, NU’s third-best time of the year. During the season, Pentlarge produced seven top-five finishes, including a runner-up showing in the 200 free in a dual win over Omaha. In the classroom, Pentlarge was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and an Academic All-Big Ten selection for the second straight season.

2018-19 (sophomore)
Pentlarge continued her Husker career with a strong second season, earning four top-five finishes and performing well in invitational meets. She competed in both freestyle and backstroke events, with her best showings coming at the Hawkeye Invite, where she set then-career bests in both the 100 back (57.22, 19th) and 200 back (2:00.72, 9th). Competing at the long course USA Swimming Winter Nationals, Pentlarge finished sixth in the C Final of the 200 back. To conclude her season, Pentlarge competed at the Big Ten Championships, finishing 50th in the 200 back, 56th in the 200 free and 61st in the 100 back. Outside the pool, Pentlarge was named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and claimed Academic All-Big Ten accolades. 

2017-18 (Freshman)
Pentlarge had a solid first year as a Husker, racking up 10 top-five finishes, including two victories. She set three career bests, with one coming at the 2018 Big Ten Championships. At the conference meet, she set a then-career best in the 200-yard freestyle, racing to a time of 1:49.24. She also competed in the 100 back (38th) and the 100 free (44th). Pentlarge added two more career bests at the Mizzou Invite in the 50 free (23.71) and in the 100 free (50.52). She also got off to a strong start in the classroom, claiming spots on the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll in the fall and spring semesters of 2017-18. 

Previous
Pentlarge was a three-time Junior National qualifier and was named the MVP of North Coast Aquatics. A four-time state record holder in the 100 back, 100 free and the 200 and 400-yard free relays, Pentlarge helped Cathedral Catholic High School to the CIF Championships four consecutive years, earning three consecutive runner-up finishes before capturing the 2017 CIF title. She also is the CIF Division II record holder in the 100 free and 400 free relay. An All-American and a team captain, Pentlarge was the 2017 CIF section swimmer of the year. Pentlarge excelled in the classroom and community. The National Honor Society member earned spots on the honor roll all four years and was selected for the California Scholarship Federation.

Personal 
The daughter of Jack and Carol Pentlarge, Jessica was born July 20, 1999 in Oceanside, Calif. Jessica has one sister, Catie. A nutrition and health sciences major, Jessica earned her bachelor's degree from Nebraska in December of 2021. She is a three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten selection. She has earned eight spots on the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll. A Sam Foltz 27 Hero Leadership Award winner in 2021, she was a foiur-time member of the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team. She picked Nebraska over Purdue, Washington State and Arkansas.

Career-Best Times

Event Times Meet (Date)
50 Free 23.71 Mizzou Invitational (2017)
100 Free 50.52 Mizzou Invitational (2017)
200 Free 1:49.24 Big Ten Championships (2018)
100 Back 57.20 Mizzou Invitational (2019)
200 Back 2:00.05 Big Ten Championships (2020)