The University of Minnesota swimming and diving programs recently competed against the SMU Mustangs in a two-day competition at the Robson & Lindley Aquatic Center in Dallas, Texas. The Gopher women, ranked No. 24 in the CSCAA Preseason Poll, emerged victorious with a 273-80 win over the Mustangs, improving their record to 3-0. On the other hand, the Gopher men suffered a defeat, falling to a score of 166-185, resulting in a 1-1 record.
Leading the way for the Gophers were senior Megan Van Berkom and freshman Katie McCarthy. After day one, the Gophers held a commanding lead of 137-49 over the Mustangs. Van Berkom secured one individual win, while McCarthy impressed with two personal victories.
In the 400 medley relay, Paul Rodriguez Rivero, Grace Drabot, Ava Yabloski, and Hannah Cornish combined to take first place with a time of 3:45.29 on Saturday morning.
The Gopher women dominated in the 1000 free, with McCarthy finishing first with a time of 10:01.67. Eliot Kennedy followed closely behind with a time of 10:25.34, securing second place. Jade Roghair and Katia Soudakova finished third and fourth, respectively, completing the Gophers’ sweep in the event.
Van Berkom continued her strong performance in the 200 IM, earning an individual win with a time of 2:01.48. Claire Reinke secured the second spot with a time of 2:07.92.
Indy Jongman claimed the title in the 200 back with a time of 2:01.37, leading a Gopher sweep in the event. Faith Johnson, Paul Rodriguez Rivero, and Elisabeth Jacobs followed closely behind.
Hannah Cornish won the 100 free with a time of 50.43, followed by Morgan Thomas in second place with a time of 50.86. Mina Kaljevic rounded out the top three with a time of 50.92.
Van Berkom secured another win in the 200 fly with a time of 1:59.75. McCarthy finished second, and Yablonski came in third, less than half a second behind McCarthy.
Drabot secured an individual win in the 200 breast with a time of 2:19.45. Ava Gustafson and Ava Goodno finished second and third, respectively.
In the 200 free relay, Minnesota’s women took the crown with a time of 1:33.00. Elna Widerstrom, Megan Phillip, and Av Osero earned top spots in the diving events.
On the men’s side, Kaiser Neverman secured two individual victories, while Davide Harabagiu defended his Big Ten Freshman of the Week title with one personal win. The Gopher men finished second in the 400 medley relay with a time of 3:11.45.
Harabagiu claimed the crown in the 100 free with a time of 43.96. Neverman won the 200 fly with a time of 1:44.40, while William Christenson finished third.
Freshman YuTong Wang, the reigning Big Ten Diver of the Week, impressed with a score of 358.43 in the 1-meter dive, securing the top spot. Andrew Bennett followed closely behind with a score of 327.68.
The Gophers will be back in action on October 27 when they host St. Thomas for a meet at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center at 5:00 p.m.
