SIOUX FALLS -- After winning their 11th straight dual at Northern State last weekend, the University of Sioux Falls Swimming Team has a busy weekend ahead on Jan. 15-16. The Cougars, which opened the season with a 170-84 win over Northern State on Jan. 9 in Aberdeen, will face city rival Augustana on Friday before hosting quads on Saturday morning and after with Augustana, U-Mary and Northern State.

USF will face Augustana at 4:30 pm Friday at the Midco Aquatic Center. On Saturday, the first of two quad competitions begins at 10:30 at the Midco Aquatic Center. The second of the quads with Augustana, Mary and Northern State, which will be scored as individual duals, will go off at 4:30 pm on Saturday at the Midco Aquatic Center.

Series Marks against Augie, Mary, NSU

Last weekend, the Cougars opened against NSU and dominated. They had wins in every individual and relay event, winning 12 individual titles and capturing both relays (200 medley, 200 free).  With the victory, USF is 5-0 against NSU all-time. In fact, USF is a combined 14-0 in dual meets with NSU, Augustana and Mary. In breaking down the other series, the Cougars stand 5-0 against Augustana with a 250-84 victory on Oct. 26, 2019. USF is 4-0 against U-Mary with the last vidtory a 303-119 decision on Oct. 5, 2019.

Hamstra pleased with his team's fast start

With such a successful opening meet, Chris Hamstra, USF Swimming Head Coach, is pleased that his program has a long streak of winning (11 straight dual wins). He is also looking forward to the rest of his team's season.

"It's always nice to start the competition season with a win, and I want to thank Northern State for being such great hosts. We are very excited to shake more of the 'racing rust' off this weekend," said Hamstra.

The Cougars, who were ranked in the top 15 a year ago and finished third at the NSIC Championships, are looking to win their 12th straight dual on Friday. USF's last loss was DI Nebraska-Omaha in December of 2018. 

Hamstra noted the performances of his three returning All-Americans, with senior Jenna Krahn picking up two individual wins and a second place relay result, as did junior Elizabeth Spaans. Chantal Kasch had two wins and was part of a winning relay. With the All-Americans leading the way, USF also had strong performances across the roster with several freshmen winning individual titles in their first meet at USF. 

Spaans picked up individual wins in the 200 back (2:13.22) along with the 100 back (59.76). Krahn won two individual titles by claiming the 100 free in 54:41 and leading a group of USF swimmers in the top four spots of the 50 free. Krahn clocked a 24.87 to win the 50 free event. 

Kasch won two individual titles and was part of a winning relay. She took the title in the 200 breast (2:28.05) and also took home the 100 breast title (1:08.96). Kasch was part of USF's winning 200 medley relay which clocked in at 1:50.69. Other team members included senior Gigi Bario, freshman Domenica Solano, and sophomore Ursula Demarquet.  

In the 1000 free, senior Nina Groene led three in the top four by capturing the title in 10:56.85. 

Tringali, Solano and Ruelas were part of a group of impressive freshmen who took over individual titles. Solano had an individual win and was part of the 200 free relay (1:43.61) which also captured a title. In the 100 fly, Solano won her first title at USF in 59.00. Ruelas was the winner in the 200 M as she clocked a 2:15.15. Tringali picked up her first career individual win in the 200 free (2:00.76) to lead four in the top five.  

Against NSU, USF also had a win from Evelyn VanDeMark who captured the 500 free (5:26.75). 

The Cougars, who had eight individuals or relays crowned champions at the 2020 NSIC Championships, are looking to take the success from their first meet and keep it rolling into the rest of their season. 

For the 2021 season, the Cougars, who have finished third at the NSIC Championship three consecutive years, are gearing up to face a competitive schedule line up, including this week's upcoming meet against Augustana (Jan. 15), as well as Nebraska-Omaha (Jan. 23), and the Coyote Invite (Jan. 29-30).

The NSIC Intercollegiate Conference Championships are set for Feb.10 - Feb.13, with location still to be determined, while the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships are set for Mar. 17 - Mar. 20 in Birmingham, AL.