SIOUX FALLS— The No. 11 University of Sioux Falls Swimming team took to the pool in the program's inaugural Senior Day on Saturday. The Cougars defended their home venue in the Midco Aquatic Center with a dominant performance in a 128-73 victory over Northern State.

In 12 events, the Cougars claimed the top spot in 10 of the 11 events that awarded placement points, which accounted for 103 of the Cougars' 128 points. The Cougars had 20 different point placements in the 11 events.
 

"What an amazing journey this season has been so far," second-year Head Coach Chris Hamstra said of the Cougars' performances this season. "I'm so glad we could honor our seniors, Leah Eagleton, Kyjana Webber, Lauren Tabbert and Julia Zanto with a dual meet win, and an undefeated season!"

The undefeated dual season is the first in program history, as the Cougars will head into the NSIC Championship with an unblemished 8-0 record in dual action.

After the first event, the 400 Medley Relay, the Cougars had a 15-2 lead, thanks to a first place finish from the squad of Zanto, junior Chantal Kasch, Eagleton, and Webber, as well as a second place finish from junior Gigi Bario, freshmen Ursula Demarquet Albán, Valerie Childs, and junior Giulia Fazza Marcon.

Along with a first place finish in the 400 Medley Relay, Eagleton would continue her dominant Senior Day action with the top time in the 100 Freestyle at 53.45, as well as tacking on four team points with her 24.82 time in the 50 Freestyle, good for second place. Kasch also won the 200 Backstroke in 2:25.78.

Another strong individual performance came from sophomore Ella Johnson, who emerged victorious in the 1000 Freestyle, as she finished with a time of 10:53.76. It would be the first of two events that Johnson won, as she also took the 200 Butterfly with a time of 2:06.69.

Sophomore Elizabeth Spaans also took first in two events, with the first being the 200 Freestyle (1:56.67), then later earning first in the 200  Backstroke (2:12.60).

Others placing first in their respective events were junior Jenna Krahn (50 Freestyle, 24.02) and Marcon (500 Freestyle, 5:17.55).

Evelyn VanDeMark also turned in a strong showing, earning second in the 200 Freestyle (1:59.09) and the 200 Butterfly (2:16.92). In the 200 Freestyle, VanDeMark finished just under three seconds behind Spaans, who won the event.

The Cougars will now ready themselves for the four-day NSIC Championship that will take place Feb. 12-15 in Bismarck, N.D., at the BSC Aquatic & Fitness Center, the home of the U-Mary Swimming & Diving team.