SIOUX FALLS -- In the first road competition of the year, the University of Sioux Falls Swimming Team will travel to Minnesota State for a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) dual meet with the Mavericks in Mankato, Minn., on Friday, October 26.  The meet will be held at MSU's Highland Center Pool at 5 pm. 

The Cougars, directed head coach Chris Hamstra, have opened 1-0 after dominating the U-Mary by winning 13 of 16 events and setting two school records in the 164-112 win which was held at the Midco Aquatic Center in Sioux Falls.

MSU, the 2018 defending NSIC champions, stands 1-1 in dual meets this year.  MSU last competed on October 12 as they defeated UW-Eau Claire, 182-116.  Last year, USF dropped a closely contested 153-141 dual meet decision to MSU.

The Cougars, which were picked to finish fourth in the NSIC Coaches Poll in their third year as a program, have several swimmers in the top-10 of the NSIC top times list.  Sophomores Giulia Marcon and returning All-American Cassie Wright lead the way with three top-10 performances.  Marcon ranks second, fourth and fifth in the 200, 100 and 50 freestyle, respectively.  Wright ranks first in the 100 breaststroke, second in the 200 backstroke and second in the 200 individual medley.

Also for USF, sophomore Jenna Krahn was on two winning relays last Saturday against U-Mary and won the 50 free.  Krahn is ranked fourth and fifth in the 50 and 100 freestyle, respectively. 

The distance crew of Alex Sanchez Clark, Nina Groene and Evelyn Van De Mark rank first, sixth and ninth in the 1000 free, while Groene, Sanchez Clark and newcomer Ellie Dewsbury rank fourth, seventh and 10^th in the 500 freestyle.  Van De Mark also stands sixth in the 200 fly.  Also in the NSIC top-10 list, freshman Ella Johnson sits second in the 200 fly as well as fifth in the 100 fly.  Freshman Elizabeth Spaans of Brandon, S.D., owns the top 100 backstroke time in the league while sophomore Gigi Bario ranks fourth and sixth in the 100 and 200 backstroke, respectively.

Following the meet at MSU, the Cougars will compete at MSU Moorhead on Nov. 3 and at Augustana on Nov. 9.

Coo Tracks –

A year ago, the Cougars finished a program-best third at the NSIC Championships, recording three event championships and earned eight All-NSIC honors. Cassie Wright recorded the first-ever USF individual title in winning the 100 back. The Cougars also registered relay wins in the 200 medley and 200 free.

USF sent six swimmers to the NCAA DII Championships last March including Wright, Giulia Marcon, Maike Doerr, Chantal Kasch, Ingelin Lima and Kyjanna Webber.

At the 2017-18 NCAA DII Championships, USF finished in the top-25 nationally. USF was 21st (51 points), which was the top finish by an NSIC squad and best in program history.

Leading the way was Wright, who had a program-best performance at the NCAA Championships. She earned All-American honors with a second-place finish in the 200 backstroke and third place in the 100 backstroke, becoming USF's first-ever swimmer with top three finishes at nationals. USF's 200 medley relay took 10th and the 400 medley relay was 15th. Four team members were selected Academic All-NSIC.