Cyclones vs. Jackrabbits
The Iowa State swim and dive team delivered a commanding performance Thursday in Brookings, South Dakota.
The Cyclones defeated the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 180-115. The team once again displayed its depth and consistency, winning 14 of 16 events and breaking two pool records in the process.
The meet opened as always with the 200 medley relay and the Cyclones made a statement early. The team of junior Emma Kuhn, sophomore Anja Peck, freshman Kendall Mallers and sophomore Grace Swoboda clocked a time of 1:46.50 to take home the win.
That momentum would carry into the distance events as well, with freshman Carlotta Gazzola leading the charge for Iowa State.
Gazzola shattered the 15-year-old South Dakota State pool record in the 1650 yard freestyle event, finishing with a time of 17:24.79. The decade-and-a-half-old record held a previous time of 17:28.15.
Gazzola would continue to lead the Cyclones in distance events and later claimed another victory in the 500 free with a time of 5:08.32.
The Cyclones capped the night with another record-breaking performance, this time in the 400 free relay.
The team of Kuhn, Swoboda, freshman Piper Hagen and senior Corinne Guist combined for a time of 3:31.49, breaking the pool record, which was previously set by Iowa State in 2021.
On the diving boards, the Cyclones swept both events. Maggie Bendell led the way on the 1-meter board with a score of 284.93 while Kate Mitchell took the 3-meter title with 295.50 points.
The continued discipline and effort shown by the Cyclones finally paid off in a big win for their first dual meet win of the season, moving them to 1-3 on the season.
Cyclones vs. Coyotes
Iowa State picked up where they left off and came away with a win against South Dakota, 168-123.
Sophomore Lili Neisser continued to impress in the backstroke events, earning herself victories in the 100 back with a time of 57.22 and 200 back with a time of 2:05.77.
In the breast events, Peck had an outstanding meet, taking home first place in the 100 breast with a time of 1:04.85 and the 200 breast with a time of 2:18.53.
The Cyclones took home first place in the 400 medley relay on the backs of Kuhn, freshman Matilde Geromin, junior Keirlyn Mullica and Guist. The group finished with a time of 3:54.69.
Iowa State found success in its relay teams, as in the 200 freestyle event, the team of Hagen, Neisser, Swoboda and Kuhn delivered a first-place finish with a time of 1:37.90.
In the diving events, Mitchell would carry the Cyclones, winning first place in both the 1-meter and 3-meter events.
Mitchell posted a score of 274.80 in the 1-meter event and 281.70 in the 3-meter event.
The Cyclones have now competed in the pool three weeks in a row, which has given them the chance to build up confidence and work on their times in the events. This road trip turned out to be a major success for the team, which now moves to 2-3 overall on the season.
Iowa State will be back in action Nov. 18-21 in Iowa City, competing in the Hawkeye Invite.
