SIOUX FALLS – The University of Sioux Falls Swimming Team (3-2) won 9-of-16 events but dropped a dual decision to NCAA DI Nebraska-Omaha (2-3) on Tuesday at the Midco Aquatic Center.

USF was led by sophomore All-American Cassie Wright, who accounted for four total wins which included swimming the opening leg on the winning 200-yard medley relay. She also claimed individual victories in the 100 back (:55.96), 200 back (2:04.85) and 100 IM (58.16). In the 100 back, Wright, who has 13 individual wins this season, won the competition by over four seconds and was ahead by the field by nearly three seconds in the 100 IM win. And in the 200 back, she completely dominated the field winning by nearly 10 seconds.

Aside from Wright, both sophomore Chantal Kasch and Ella Johnson were part of three victories. Along with Wright, Kasch, Johnson and junior Leah Eagleton were members of the victorious 200 medley relay, which clocked 1:48.72, which was well ahead of UNO at 1:51.82.  

After the meet ended, USF Head Swimming Coach Chris Hamstra was pleased with his team's performance and noted that USF learned a lot in competing against a DI program.

"The meet against Nebraska-Omaha was a great way to finish up before winter break," said Hamstra. "We had some really good performances today and lost a few tight races. We will be able to grow from a competition like this and become even more resilient," he said.

"I felt we stepped up to a challenge against a DI team and left the Midco Aquatic Center feeling good and knowing we raced with everything we had. We are now mentally tough and more prepared as we look ahead to the (NSIC) league championships in February," said Hamstra.

Kasch also claimed victories in the 100 breaststroke with a clocking of 1:06.17 and captured the 200 breast in 2:25.35. She was also fifth in the 100 IM in 1:04.83.
As for Johnson, who now has 11 individual wins this season, was victorious in the 100 butterfly in 57.92 and the 200 butterfly in 2:07.43.

Sophomore Jenna Krahn finished tied for first in the 50 freestyle with Rachel Morrow of UNO as both clocking a 24.54. She was also second in the 100 freestyle in 54.65 and fourth in the 200 freestyle. Krahn also completed in USF's 200 freestyle relay which was second in 1:39.47. Also on that relay squad was Eagleton, Lizza Spaans and Giulia Marcon.

USF also had a team finish third (1:53.72) in the 200 medley relay which included sophomore Julia Linebaugh, freshman Lizzy Spaans, freshman Evelyn VanDeMark and sophomore Tori Bailey. Spaans also finished third in the 100 breaststroke in 1:10.14.

Marcon also had a solid performance on the day with a second place finish in the 200 free style in 1:56.26, third in the 500 freestyle in 5:13.55. Spaans was also third in the 100 breaststroke in 1:10.14 and third in the 100 butterfly in 59.75.  Linebaugh picked up third place finishes in both the 100 backstroke in 1:02.19 and 200 backstroke in 2:14.66 while taking sixth in the 100 IM in 1:07.98.

Sophomore Alex Sanchez Clark was third in the 1000 freestyle in 10:58.63 and fifth in the 500 freestyle in 5:26.36.

Following the Christmas break, USF will face Northern State in a dual meet in Aberdeen, S.D., at 5:30 p.m.