Cyclones Lose Closest Cy-Hawk Dual In 10 Years

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa State Cyclones (3-3, 1-0 Big 12) could not hold onto an early lead as the Iowa Hawkeyes (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) prevailed 162-138 on Friday night. The Cyclones put up their best effort in Iowa City since 2000 in the loss.

The Cyclones began the night with a crucial victory in the 200 medley relay. The squad of Emily Haan, Martha Haas, Elynn Tan and Evan Hundley combined for a 1:41.38, the eighth-fastest in school history. Haley Ruegemer followed the relay with a stellar performance to take second in the 1000 free. She swam to a 10:02.20 in the event, which ranks her second on the Iowa State top performers list, and marks the third-fastest time ever swam by a Cyclone.

Anna Andersen took second in the 200 free with a 1:49.41, ranking her sixth all-time among Iowa State 200 freestylers. Back-to-back event wins by Haan in 100 back and Lehr Thorson in the 100 breast extended the Cyclone lead. Haan posted the 11^th-fastest time in school history with a 54.73 to out-touch Iowa's Hannah Burvill. Thorson's time of 1:02.24 ranks among Iowa State's top-20 100 breast times and moved her to sixth all-time. Lucia Rizzo (2:03.06) and Tan (23.33) both swam for PRs in the 200 fly and 50 free, with Rizzo moving to fifth all-time and Tan into ninth. The Cyclones led 70-61 heading into the first diving break.

Haan notched a second-place finish in the 200 back with a 2:01.53, moving to ninth all-time. The Cyclones again got back-to-back wins, this time in the 200 breast and 500 free. Thorson lowered her personal best to 2:16.12 to win the 200 breast, while Rizzo moved to ninth all-time in the 500 free with the 20^th-fastest time in school history of the 4:53.60, followed closely by Ruegemer's 4:54.23. Iowa took a 125-120 lead heading into the final diving break.

Ruegemer's personal-best 200 IM swim of 2:03.43 fell short of the event win, taking second overall. The 400 freestyle relay team of Andersen, Hundley, Haan and Tan posted the fifth-fastest time in school history of 3:23.35.

In the diving well, Dana Liva set a PR of 295.80 on the three-meter, along with solid scores by Sydney Ronald (285.05) and a PR set of 226.45 by Alex Aaberg. Liva ended with a 281.40 and Ronald with a Zone-qualifying 266.65 on the one-meter. Aaberg and Jessica Coffin both earned PRs on the one-meter.

Iowa State's efforts ultimately fell short as the Cyclones lost the dual 138-162. The 24-point loss was the closest meet since Iowa State beat Iowa 167-133 in 2009 and closest in Iowa City since a 23-point loss in 2000.

"I'm very pleased with how our swimmers swam tonight," head coach Duane Sorenson said. "Emily Haan had a great upset. Winning the medley relay was a lot of fun. Our women raced hard."

"I wanted to give it all I had," captain Haley Ruegemer said. "I want to make sure we continue our tradition when I leave. We're such a young team, so there's a lot of freshman talent. It's only up from here."

ON DECK

The Cyclones head for their respective winter training trips at the end of December. Iowa State returns to action on Jan. 11 in Omaha, followed by an in-state dual with Northern Iowa on Jan. 12. Follow the team on Twitter (@CycloneSD) or on Facebook at facebook.com/cycloneSD for in-game updates, post-meet recaps and results throughout the season.

Players Mentioned

Alex Aaberg

Anna Andersen

Jessica Coffin

Emily Haan

Martha Haas

Evan Hundley

Dana Liva

Lucia Rizzo

Sydney Ronald

Haley Ruegemer

Elynn Tan

Lehr Thorson

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