Omaha
Western Illinois
Omaha Takes Down WIU in Season Opener, 159-127
Oct 10, 2015 | Women's Swimming & Diving
OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha swimming & diving team started its season on the right note Friday night at HPER Pool, defeating Summit League foe Western Illinois, 159-127. The season-opening victory for Omaha is its first since the 2010-11 season when the Mavericks defeated Alaska-Fairbanks, 169-92.
UNO dominated the majority of the meet, taking victories in 10 of the 16 events.
Senior Miranda Knipfer won the 3-meter diving event, scoring a 259.00.
Omaha's junior class ignited the fire with three event winners. Morgan Stepp, a native of Parker, Colo., took the top spot in the 1,000 free with a time of 10:38.70. Jamie Dhabalt finished atop the 100 breast field with a time of 1:09.75, while Meredith Ricks took victory in the 50 free, finishing at 25.70.
Not to be outdone, the Mavs' sophomore class was also strong, headlined by Logan Back, who took the victory in the 200 free at 2:01.83 – nearly six seconds ahead of the runner-up. Olivia McLain shined in the 100 free, as the Kansas City, Mo., product took the reins with a time of 54.88. Hilary Schieffer also battled to a first-place finish in the 200 back at 2:12.61.
A trio of freshmen -- Isabelle Robuck, Kylie Vermeire and Gillian Schwartz -- won in their career debuts Friday night. Robuck, from Halstead, Kan., finished first in the 200 fly with a time of 2:17.43. Vermeire found success in the 500 free, where the Marshall, Minn., product finished atop the pack with a mark of 5:17.67. Schwartz handled her business with a win in the 100 fly, as the Olathe, Kan., native finished in 59.47.
Omaha returns to the pool on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Summit League preseason favorite Denver. The meet will begin at 3 p.m. CT from El Pomar Natatorium.
