SIOUX FALLS—In their final home meet of the regular season, the University of Sioux Falls Swimming Team (5-2), which was led by an NCAA B standard from Cassie Wright, defeated Iowa Lakes Community College, 108-55 on Saturday afternoon at the Midco Aquatic Center.

USF, highlighted by double individual event winners Ella Johnson, Cassie Wright, and Keelin O'Connor, won all 12 individual events as well as both relays.

"I am very excited about our performances at our last dual meet of the year.  It is always nice to get another win, but our young women executed their races extremely effectively," said USF Head Coach Chris Hamstra.  "We had several personal best times and Cassie (Wright) got her NCAA "B" cut leading off the 200 free relay.  Additionally, we continue to grow closer as a team.  This was our best meet this season in terms of supporting each other, cheering loud and staying engaged as a team.  This meet really sets us up well for the Coyote Invite in two weeks and is a major stepping stone in preparing for the NSIC Championship," said Hamstra.

Wright, a sophomore All-American, finished with the top overall time in the 50-yard backstroke (26.07) where sophomore USF Tori Bailey was second in 29.87. Wright also took the top spot in the 100 back (55.92) where she edged freshman teammate Lizzy Spaans at 58.58. Wright swam the opening leg of the first place 200-yard freestyle relay with teammates Lauren Gallick, Nina Groene, and Leah Eagleton.

Johnson was first in the 100 butterfly in 57.64 while teammate Chantal Kasch finished second in 1:04.77. Johnson also claimed first in the 50 butterfly with a time of 26.31 where she just edged out teammate Keelin O'Connor who finished in 27.49.

O'Connor claimed a pair of individual victories in the 50 breaststroke (33.68), as well as the 100 IM (1:03.99). In the 50 breaststroke, O'Connor finished just ahead of teammate Sydnie Saddoris who recorded a time of 33.85, and Eagleton who came in third with a time of 33.96. O'Connor fended off teammate Johnson (1:04.84) in the 100 IM.

Sophomore Giulia Marcon took the top individual place in the 100 free with a time of 54.47. Eagleton finished just behind Marcon with a second place time of 55.03. Marcon also anchored the winning 200-yard medley relay team (1:54.86) which included teammates Giovanna Bario, Aleah Rohde, and Evelyn Van De Mark.

Aside from her 200 freestyle medley relay victory, Groene took an individual first place finish in the 1,000 free with a time of 10:52.07. Groene defeated Iowa Lake swimmer Mavi Valentin (12:30.88) by almost one minute and 40 seconds.

Spaans took the top overall time in the 200 free with a 1:56.84 finish. She edged out teammate Van De Mark who finished second in 2:01.67.
Jenna Krahn won the 50 free in 24.91 with Marcon second at 25.20.

Saddoris claimed a title in the 100 breaststroke with a clocking of 1:14.07. She just held off Groene who finished with a second place time of 1:14.21.

Alexandra Sanchez-Clark claimed first in the 500 free with a time of 5:22.94. Van De Mark finished a close second at 5:22.97.

Next for USF will be competing at the USD Invite in Vermillion on Feb. 1-3. Then, the Cougars will be the host school as they compete in the NSIC Championships on Feb. 13-16 at the Midco Aquatic Center.