AMES – Iowa State won 13 of its 16 events to defeat the South Dakota Coyotes 179-119. The Cyclones are now 2-0 to start the swim and dive season.
This was the 15th meeting all-time between Iowa State and South Dakota. With the win, the Cyclones now hold a 15-0 lead in the series.
Cyclones start slow
Head coach Matt Leach liked what he saw during the meet, even after South Dakota came out of the gates hot.
“I mean South Dakota is a really well coached team, and they got us in the 200 free and 100 back,” Leach said. “I like the energy and how we responded from some adversity early on.”
The Coyotes largest lead of the night was 45-29, but Iowa State kept on pushing.
Junior Corrine Guist gave the Cyclones a boost when she won the 1000 free with a time of 10:26.62, breezing past the second place time of 10:38.77.
Things pick up for Iowa State
After the slow start, Iowa State surged past South Dakota. The Cyclones won 12 of the final events in a row and got crucial points from the diving team. Junior Kate Mitchell dominated the 1-meter (249.45) and 3-meter (260.32) dives.
Another key player was sophomore Carley Caughron, who won all four events she competed in. Caughron won the 50 free (23.76s), 100 free (52.10s) and 100 fly (56.72s) individually. She also helped the 200 free relay team win too (1:36.58).
Freshman Grace Swoboda won the 100 breast (1:05.46). Graduate student Winter Craig and freshman Miray Abay tied for first in the 200 fly (2:06.57).
It was a dominant win for the Cyclones and one that saw their toughness and energy persist the whole meet. Fans and swimmers cheered as loudly as they could the whole meet. Even one Iowa State swimmer started a “Cyclone Power” chant.
Iowa State’s next meet will be in Lincoln, Nebraska, at 3 p.m. Friday.
