SIOUX FALLS – Seeking their first dual victory of the season, University of Sioux Falls Swimming hosts University of Mary on Thursday, Nov. 2 for a 6 p.m. dual at the Midco Aquatic Center in Sioux Falls. The Cougars are coming off a loss to fellow Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foe MSU Moorhead in the program's first ever home dual.
 
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USF will face U-Mary for the second time in program history as both universities added swimming for the 2016-17 season. Last year, Sioux Falls defeated the Marauders, 142-117, in Bismarck, N.D. the Cougars secured both the 400 medley and 400 freestyle relay victories and won 10 of the 12 remaining individual events. Maike Doerr won all four events in which she competed, earning individual titles in 100- and 200-yard butterfly and 200 freestyle. Ingelin Lima swept the freestyle sprints and Michelle Hoffin captured the 200 individual medley title.
 
Less than a week ago, the Cougars hosted MSU Moorhead for the program's first ever home dual and defeated the Dragons in the swimming portion of the competition. USF held a 139-123 advantage in just swimming events, but MSU Moorhead scored 32 points, uncontested, in diving to earn the victory.
 
Doerr led the Cougars with two event titles and four more USF swimmers recorded individual victories. Doerr won the 100 fly and 200 free and added a runner-up finish in the 200 fly. Alex Sanchez Clark remained undefeated in the 1000 freestyle this season with another win and distance teammate Nina Groene captured the 500 free title. Gigi Bario continued a great start to her freshman season with a win in the 200 backstroke and Michelle Hoffin posted a win in the 200 individual medley.
 
Leading the Cougars in the 2017-18 season is interim head coach Rita Koryukova, who was appointed to her position on Oct. 23. A three-time national champion at Wingate (N.C.), Koryukova captained the national runner-up Wingate Swimming team in 2016. She served as a graduate assistant for USF Swimming during the program's inaugural season in which she helped USF qualify five freshman for the NCAA Championships and record a pair of All-NSIC finishes at the first conference meet.