Medley Relay Sets the Tone as Nebraska Tops Kansas for First Time Since 2016
Nebraska’s opening medley relay set the tone from the start Friday, leading the Huskers to a 192-106 win over Kansas at the Devaney Natatorium.
The win is the first for Nebraska over its border rival since Nov. 5, 2016. It’s also the second widest margin of victory in the series, trailing the 97-point decision it claimed in that 2016 meet, in what is now a cross-conference clash.
The opening 200 medley relay showed the way. It started with a win by 1.5 seconds by the squad of Autumn Haebig, Ella Stein, Milica Opacic and Emily Haimes in 1:43.55.
Haebig would turn around two events later and win the 200 freestyle, then she added a victory in the 500 free. She also anchored the winning 400 free relay, which also included Haimes and Opacic.
Stein won the 100 breaststroke. Opacic claimed the 100 free and 100 butterfly.
Alexa Kucera, who swam on the 400 free relay, won the 50 free. Madesyn Ronquillio swept the backstroke events. Ilaria Murzilli (1,000 free) and Shannon Stott (200 fly) added wins for Nebraska. The Huskers dominated on the boards, with Sara Troyer winning both events. Hallie Roman and Regan Hinze occupied podium positions in both events.
“Historically, (Kansas) is a great rival from the Big 12,” Nebraska coach Pablo Morales said in a team release. “We have kept that tradition going. We kept dueling them every year, and they have been great competitors for us, and today was no exception. We were strong across the board and our (swimmers) were ready. We want to protect our home pool.”
Kansas’s only wins came from a Lincoln native, Dannie Dilsaver. The senior celebrated her return home by winning the 200 breast and 200 IM. She was denied a clean sweep by Stein in the 100 breast, relegating her to second. Claudia Dougan was second in the 100 free and 200 free. Ellie Howe and Dewi Blose each contributed a pair of top-three finishes behind Ronquillio in backstroke.
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