Sunday, November 19
Topeka, Kan.
TBA
Omaha
at
Kansas Classic (Swimmers)
Junior Kirsten Kracke
Photo by: Mark Kuhlmann
Mavericks Cap Kansas Classic
Nov 19, 2017 | Women's Swimming & Diving
TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Omaha swimming & diving team concluded its weekend at the Kansas Classic on Sunday, finishing in sixth place in the team standings with 264.5 points.
For their weekend performances as Omaha's top two point scorers, freshmen Naeleah Hadford and Rebecca Martini were both named to the Kansas Classic All-Invite Team.
Hadford led the charge by winning the B final of the 200 back to place ninth overall (51.30) for nine points. She joined sophomore Rachel Morrow and juniors Kirsten Kracke and Madison Ewald for an eighth-place finish in the 400 free relay (3:29.57) for 22 points.
Omaha also received points from another team in the 400 free relay, as senior Cassandra Jahn, juniors Kylene Abraham and Kylie Vermeire and freshman Bella Smits finished 13th (3:34.21) for 10 points. Vermeire added a ninth-place showing in the 1650 free (17:40.95) for nine more points.
The Mavericks had three swimmers earn points in the B final of the 200 breast. Martini came in second in the race for 10th overall (2:25.01) en route to seven points, followed by senior Tiril Jensen in third for 11th overall (2:25.32) for six points. Freshman Alyssa Parsons rounded it out with an eighth-place effort in the B final for 11th overall (2:26.65), which brought in an additional point.
Senior Samantha Starke took fourth in the B final of the 200 fly for 12th overall (2:08.09) for five points, while Morrow pitched in a sixth-place B final performance in the 100 free for 14th overall (52.08). Hilary Schieffer also finished seventh in the B final of the 200 back for 15th overall (2:08.36) for two points.
In addition, senior Olivia McLain won the C final of the 200 fly (2:09.86).
"Even with the sting of missing fifth place by 1.5 points, I still see some extreme positives for our program," head coach Todd Samland said. "We had a number of swimmers who were faster than they were a year ago, and many would have placed in the top 16 to score points at our conference meet last season.
"The final event tonight -- the 400 free relay with Morrow, Kracke, Ewald and Hadford -- put an exclamation point on our potential. It feels like we have an entry ticket to do some great things; now it's a matter of executing at practice to put us in a position of possibility."
Omaha now breaks for the holidays and returns to the poll on Friday, Jan. 12, welcoming South Dakota to HPER Pool at 6 p.m.
KANSAS CLASSIC TEAM STANDINGS
Final - Through Day 3
1. Kansas - 1,060
2. North Texas - 769.5
3. Iowa State - 603
4. Northern Iowa - 502
5. Arkansas-Little Rock - 266
6. Omaha - 264.5
For their weekend performances as Omaha's top two point scorers, freshmen Naeleah Hadford and Rebecca Martini were both named to the Kansas Classic All-Invite Team.
Hadford led the charge by winning the B final of the 200 back to place ninth overall (51.30) for nine points. She joined sophomore Rachel Morrow and juniors Kirsten Kracke and Madison Ewald for an eighth-place finish in the 400 free relay (3:29.57) for 22 points.
Omaha also received points from another team in the 400 free relay, as senior Cassandra Jahn, juniors Kylene Abraham and Kylie Vermeire and freshman Bella Smits finished 13th (3:34.21) for 10 points. Vermeire added a ninth-place showing in the 1650 free (17:40.95) for nine more points.
The Mavericks had three swimmers earn points in the B final of the 200 breast. Martini came in second in the race for 10th overall (2:25.01) en route to seven points, followed by senior Tiril Jensen in third for 11th overall (2:25.32) for six points. Freshman Alyssa Parsons rounded it out with an eighth-place effort in the B final for 11th overall (2:26.65), which brought in an additional point.
Senior Samantha Starke took fourth in the B final of the 200 fly for 12th overall (2:08.09) for five points, while Morrow pitched in a sixth-place B final performance in the 100 free for 14th overall (52.08). Hilary Schieffer also finished seventh in the B final of the 200 back for 15th overall (2:08.36) for two points.
In addition, senior Olivia McLain won the C final of the 200 fly (2:09.86).
"Even with the sting of missing fifth place by 1.5 points, I still see some extreme positives for our program," head coach Todd Samland said. "We had a number of swimmers who were faster than they were a year ago, and many would have placed in the top 16 to score points at our conference meet last season.
"The final event tonight -- the 400 free relay with Morrow, Kracke, Ewald and Hadford -- put an exclamation point on our potential. It feels like we have an entry ticket to do some great things; now it's a matter of executing at practice to put us in a position of possibility."
Omaha now breaks for the holidays and returns to the poll on Friday, Jan. 12, welcoming South Dakota to HPER Pool at 6 p.m.
KANSAS CLASSIC TEAM STANDINGS
Final - Through Day 3
1. Kansas - 1,060
2. North Texas - 769.5
3. Iowa State - 603
4. Northern Iowa - 502
5. Arkansas-Little Rock - 266
6. Omaha - 264.5
Players Mentioned
Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Fly/Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Breast/Fly/Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free/Back
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Breast/IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free/Fly
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Back/Free/IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Fly/IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming & DivingWednesday, August 26
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Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
