Minnesota State Women Finish First at St. Cloud Invite and Diving Quad
The Minnesota State women’s swimming and diving team secured first place across 11 events, totaling 869 points in the team standings at the St. Cloud Invite and the Diving Quad, according to msumavericks.com.
Minnesota State Leads Early Season Competition
Minnesota State outpaced second-place St. Cloud State, which recorded 686 points during the weekend competition in Rochester, Minnesota. UW-La Crosse followed closely behind in the team standings with 625 points, as reported by msumavericks.com.
Head coach Nathan Owens evaluated the early-season performance following the meet. Our women raced hard today,
Owens stated, per msumavericks.com. We had some great early season performances and it was encouraging to see so many ladies swimming well. They’ve been working hard throughout the week and have been ramping up in training the past few weeks. Training is one thing, but racing is the best experience and teacher. I’d say that we’re on track in terms of where we want this team to be.
Savannah Acker and Emily Spielman Win Multiple Events
Junior Savannah Acker led the individual charge by winning a pair of events, posting a time of 58.65 in the 100 backstroke and 5:23.37 in the 500 freestyle, according to msumavericks.com. Sophomore Emily Spielman matched that multi-win performance by capturing the 200 breaststroke in 2:25.07 and the 200 individual medley in 2:08.92.
Additional first-place finishes came from freshman Jaylee Vobr in the 100 butterfly with a time of 58.51, and freshman Paige Samuelson in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:12.70, msumavericks.com reported. Sophomore Jessica Paulsen claimed the 100 breaststroke in 1:07.15, while junior Sydney Pippert set the pace in the 100 freestyle at 53.92. In relay action, the Maverick 200 medley relay team composed of Acker, junior Averi Larsen, sophomore Parker Schmieding, and junior Norah Naatjes finished first with a time of 1:46.15.
Diving Quad Results in La Crosse
While the swimming squad competed in Rochester, Minnesota State divers traveled to La Crosse, Wisconsin, for the Diving Quad hosted by UW-La Crosse. Senior Natalie Freeman swept the diving events by taking first place in both the 1-meter competition with 263.50 points and the 3-meter event with 249.80 points, according to msumavericks.com.
Junior Kaitlyn Hettiarachchy placed seventh in the 1-meter event with a score of 209.55, and junior Chloe Dobie finished fifth in the 3-meter event with 212.80 points, msumavericks.com noted. Minnesota State returns to competition on Saturday, October 17, traveling to Marshall, Minnesota, for a double dual against Southwest Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul.