Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney swimming team began its 2026-27 season this past weekend in Norman, Okla.
The Aqualopers were part of a triangular with Texas-Permian Basin and Oklahoma Christian on Friday and then took part in OC's annual Sam Freas Invitational on Saturday. That seven-team field included Division I North Texas. Originally, both events were to have been in Edmond.
Topeka sophomore Joslynn Grace was the lone winner on the weekend, leading the field in the 200-individual medley (2:14.96) on Friday. She also was runner-up in the 1,000-free with the program's third-best all-time time (11:18.10). Next, Beatrice sophomore Jaedyn Baxa was third (29:03) in the 50-backstroke with Grand Island freshman Delayna Hermesch fourth (29.43), Salina freshman Josie Ebel was third in the 100-butterfly (1:02.73) with Wyoming freshman Kaitlin Diver (5:56.29) runner-up in the 500-free and Omaha junior Josey Fink third (6:04.19). Finally, Olathe freshman Libby Barney was fourth in the 100-breaststroke with the sixth-best time in the annals (1:08.86).
Barney then joined the 200-breaststroke all-time top 10 on Saturday thanks to a time of 2:31.99. That placed her fifth and she also was third in the 200 free (2:00.39). Among the 14 other top-10 finishers were Louisiana freshman Ryli Cazenave in the 100-butterfly (6th/1:03.40), Topeka senior Gabby Grace in the 100 backstroke (6th/1:05.18) and Kansas City sophomore Jacey McGraw in the 200 back (8th/2:21.24). Finally, Barney anchored and Baxa was lead for the fourth-place 400 free relay team (3:42.33).
UNK has an alumni meet this Friday night and Saturday morning with Aqualoper great Yohara Salinas ('92) being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame this weekend as well.
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