OMAHA, NEB. – Despite four total wins from senior All-American Jenna Krahn, the University of Sioux Falls Swimming Team's 18-match winning streak came to an end to NCAA DI Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday.

The Cougars dropped a 150-144 dual decision to UNO. However, USF does not offer diving and that was the different. USF outscored UNO, 144-118 in swimming events as UNO scored 32 diving points (one-meter and three-meter boards). USF is 1-2 all-time against UNO, which also dealt the Cougars its last dual defeat in December of 2018. Still, USF has won 18 straight dual meets against NSIC opponents, dating to a 161-136 setback to Minnesota State in October of 2018.

Still, the Cougars had a solid performance as noted by USF Head Coach Chris Hamstra. "We showed great fight today. I was really proud of the team, who battled throughout. We had a number of solid performances and that will build momentum moving forward. I continue to be impressed by the senior leadership plus the resilience and focus across the roster. Our young swimmers really stepped up today," said Hamstra, whose team will compete in the Coyote Invite on Jan. 29-30 at the Midco Aquatic Center in Sioux Falls.

In total, the Cougars won 11 of the 16 events contested and had 18 top-three finishes against UNO.

Leading the way was senior All-American Jenna Krahn who won three individual events and was part of the winning 200 free relay. She also finished second as part of the 200 medley relay. Krahn, who now has a team-best 13 individual or relay titles in 2021, including eight individual victories, won the 200 free (2:00.34), 100 free (54.51), and 50 free in 24.89. In the 200 free relay, she anchored a team that included Tori Bailey, Burke Henderson and Valerie Childs on the winning relay.  As a member of the second place 200 medley relay, she was joined by Bailey, Sydnie Saddoris and freshman Paulina Ruelas, who also had a big day.

Freshman Ilinde du Plessis won her first two individual titles on Saturday. She captured the 1,000 in 11:02.86  and won the 200 back in 2:10.92 as she just edged Domenica Solano, who was second in 2:11.42 while Jaidyn Nelson was sixth (2:20.94). Ford was third in the 1,000 free in 11:25.79.

Childs, who now has 10 total titles (five individual, five relay) this season, won a pair of individual titles and swam on the winning 200 free. In the 200 fly, Childs clocked in at 2:14.36 while Ruelas was second in 2:15.70.  In the 500 free, also picked up a win in 5:23.75. Ruelas was second in 5:29.37 while freshman Kaylee Tringali was 6th in 5:39.72.

Solano continued to shine in her first year in the pool for USF. Today, she won two individual titles and has 10 total wins this season with six in the individual category. Against UNO, Solano won the 100 back in 59.49 and took the 100 fly with a 58.97 clocking. Also in the 100 fly, sophomore Makenzy Kennedy was second in 1:00.79 while Keelin O'Connor was sixth in 1:09.43. Kennedy was also second in the 400 IM (4:49.04).

In the 200 breast, All-American Chantal Kasch, who has nine total titles, including five individual crowns this season, earned first in 2:28.35 and she was third in the 100 breast by clocking 1:10.49. Kasch also finished third in the 400 IM (4:52.72).  Also in the 200 breast, Abigail Ford was fifth in 2:35.27 and Samantha Mullvain was sixth in 2:53.44.

 USF also placed fourth (1:57.79) and fifth (1:58.00) in the 200 medley relay. The fourth place team included Tringali, Henderson, duPlessis and Childs. The fifth place team included freshman Jaidyn Nelson, Mullvain, O'Connor and Ford.

Also for USF Bailey was third in the 50 free (26:05)  and fifth in the 100 free (57.95). USF also had a 200 free relay fourth (1:43.15) and fifth place (1:49.17) team. Ford, Tringali, du Plessis, and Saddoris comprised that fourth place team while Ruelas, Giulia Fazza Marcon, Nelson and Mullvain swam on the fifth place team.