Aqualopers place second and third at UNK invitationals

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney swimming team capped a busy weekend at home by placing second and third at the UNK Invitationals.

The meet was held at Kearney High and featured five other women's programs as well as three men's squads. Friday and Saturday were scored separately with event prelims and finals held for the second meet. The Aqualopers were runner up on day one (625 points) and third on day two (296 points). Fellow RMAC member Western Colorado won both days with Nebraska Wesleyan coming in second on Saturday.

On Friday, Wyoming junior Jaesa Whitesell won the 50-breaststroke (30.90) with Kansas freshman Libby Barney fourth (31.60). Barney also was third in the 400-individual medley (4:46.21) with Whitesell sixth in the 200-breaststroke (2:32.50). Kansas sophomore Joslynn Grace led UNK in this event (5th/2:31.77) as well as the 200-butterfly (5th/2:16.82). Finally, the 400-free relay team finished fourth (3:43.04) with Barney the anchor and Grace swimming the third leg.

A very long Saturday saw Grace tie the school record in the 100 I.M. as she turned in a 1:01.75, good for second place. Caralea Holmberg swam that same time four years ago at the Augustana (S.D.) Invitational. Whitesell (5th/1:03.73) moved up two spots on the all-time top 10 in this event while also finishing fifth in the 100-breaststroke (1:08.53). Barney came in ninth (1:09.06) and previously won the 200-free (1:55.37). That effort was just off Maggie Waddington's school standard of 1:54.81.

Finally, Beatrice sophomore Jaedyn Baxa was sixth in the 50-free (25.57), Kansas freshman Josie Ebel placed eighth in the 100-fly (1:01.70; 1:01.60 prelims), and the 200-free foursome was fourth (1:42.42). That squad featured Grand Island freshman Delayna Hermesch and Kearney senior Katy Buse.

A busy fall semester has the Lopers in Topeka (Cap Fed Natatorium) Nov. 19-21 for the KC Crown Classic. The meet is hosted by the University of Saint Mary.