ISU Takes 2nd at Kansas Classic, Best Since 1985

Friday, November 21

Topeka, Kan.

All Day

Iowa State

Kansas Invitational (Swimmers Only)

ISU Takes 2nd at Kansas Classic, Best Since 1985

11.23.2014 | Swimming and Diving

RESULTS

By: cyclones.com

TOPEKA, Kansas – The Cyclones swimmers finished the Kansas Classic today in second-place, the best finish for an Iowa State team at the event since the 1985-86 season. Kansas claimed the top-spot with a team total 1283 points to ISU's 1093.

"Overall I thought that we raced really well. We had one off session, which was the first of the meet, we did not start off quite right, but after that our women really stood up, raced and competed," Iowa State head coach Duane Sorenson said. "They did a much better job of swimming smart and competing in their races during the final five sessions."

ISU's freshman breaststroke combo of Kasey Roberts and Danica Delaquis highlighted Iowa State's performance again today with first and second-place finishes in the 200 breaststroke. Roberts' time of 2:20.00 is a new season best for the Cyclones.

"Kasey and Danica are both very competitive, they want to get better and they are very coachable. Going up against the Hawkeyes will be another big step for them," Sorenson said. "Iowa has two very good breaststrokers, so they are going to have their work cut out for them, but I think they are up for the challenge and they won't back down from the race."

Another season best time fell for Iowa State in the 200 backstroke as Marissa Engel reached the wall in a time of 2:00.84, good enough for a second-place finish behind Jayhawk Yulduz Kucharova who touched in 2:00.72.

"The goal for Marissa was to be under two minutes at this meet, she was just a little off of that, but she needs to learn how to get out a little bit faster in the 200," Sorenson said. "Today she really closed well in the final 50 yards, but she wasn't able to make up the gap."

Team Standings:
1. Kansas, 1283
2. Iowa State, 1093
3. Northern Iowa, 441
4. Nebraska-Omaha, 378
5. Tabor College, 146

On Deck
The Iowa State divers will be in Iowa City, Iowa from Friday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Dec. 7 for the Iowa Invitational. The Hawkeyes will host the entire Iowa State swimming and diving team in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk series the following weekend, Friday, Dec. 12.