INDIANAPOLIS -- In another history-making season, the University of Sioux Falls Swimming Team has continued to write a memorable story.
With the release of the 2021 NCAA DII Championship invited list to compete at nationals, the Cougars had three student-athletes invited to compete at the NCAA DII Swimming and Diving Championships which will be held March 17-20 at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Ala..
In the announcement from the NCAA DII Swimming Committee, the national qualifying invited list included All-Americans junior
Elizabeth Spaans and seniors
Jenna Krahn and
Chantal Kasch. All three return to nationals after having their trip a year ago ended by the CoVID-19 pandemic.
"We are so excited and proud of Lizzy, Chantal and Jenna for being invited to the NCAA National (DII) Championships," said USF third-year Head Coach
Chris Hamstra, whose team finished third at the NSIC Championships for a fourth straight year. "These three standout student-athletes have worked very hard to make these invite times. We will continue that hard work and focus to represent USF with everything we have when the competition opens in less than two weeks," added Hamstra, noting USF is proud of these standouts and his team for navigating through a season impacted by the CoVID-19 pandemic.
Kasch of Stade, Germany, will compete in the 100 breast after qualifying at 1:03.42 and earning a 20
th ranking in the event in DII. She will also compete in the 200 breast, which she has an NCAA DII "B" cut of 2:18.29, which is ranked 21
st in DII. Krahn of Johnston, Iowa was selected in the 50 free with a clocking of 23.45, which places her 12
th in DII rankings. She also will compete in the 100 free after registering a NCAA DII "B" cut of 52.08 in the event earlier this year. Spaans of Brandon, S.D., was invited in the 100 back with her clocking of 56.04 as she is 19
th in the nation. All three clocked their NCAA DII qualifying ties at the NSIC Championships.
At the NSIC Championships, the Cougars, who had a program best 12 dual wins this season,, finished third for a fourth straight year. The Cougars, which had seven individuals or relays crowned champions at the 2021 NSIC Championships, had 10 provisional marks and 36 All-NSIC performers.
