Nine Cyclones Medal, Cyclones Jump to Fourth

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – The Iowa State swimming and diving team (5-5, 0-2 Big 12) jumped to fourth in the final day of the 2020 Big 12 Championship, ending with 459 points. Nine individuals made it to the podium on the night, with the top-placer Lehr Thorson taking a third-place finish.

Thorson had another historic night, this time in the 200 breast. Thorson now holds possession of the fourth-best time in school history in addition to a bronze medal with her finish of 2:14.41. Martha Haas had a strong showing in the championship heat, boasting a 2:18.97 for eighth overall.

In the B finals of the 200 breast, Bryn Ericksen (2:18.45) and Jennifer Roessler (2:19.28) both posted personal-bests to place third and fourth.

Emily Haan (1:59.89) and Elizabeth Richardson (2:01.39) medaled alongside each other for the second-consecutive night, this time for sixth and seventh place in the A final of the 200 back.

Anna Andersen touched at 50.85 in the A finals of the 100 free. The finish secured eighth place for the Cyclones.

In the 1650 free, top-Cyclone placer Nolwenn Nunes grabbed fourth with 16:58.97. Nunes nearly out-raced the Kansas third-place finisher in the last 25 yards, but ultimately touched .84 seconds after. Keely Soellner gradually built up momentum to take fifth with 17:00.86. A total of seven swimmers scored for the Cyclones in the event.

Lucia Rizzo and Kennedy Tranel returned after swimming the mile to race in the 200 fly. Rizzo sealed sixth in the A finals, touching at 2:02.93. Trinity Gilbert (2:05.84) and Tranel (2:08.75) each shaved seconds off their prelims time in the B finals to place fourth and sixth in the heat. Gilbert cut 4.8 seconds off while Tranel cut 1.54 seconds.

After posting her second platform Zone cuton the season in prelims, Dana Liva moved onto finals with 244.70. Liva then turned in her third Zone qualifying mark with her fourth place placement of 266.25 in the finals.

In platform diving consolation finals, freshman Jayna Misra grabbed second with 216.00. Michelle Schlossmacher Smith placed fourth with 207.40 and Jessica Coffin seventh with 181.00.

The 400 free relay closed out the championship, with Iowa State taking fifth. Anna Andersen, Sophia Goushchina, Emma Ruehle and Martha Haas combined for a season-best time of 3:23.85.

"Very proud of how our women fought back today," said head coach Duane Sorenson. "We had almost a perfect prelims session and put ourselves in great position to catch West Virginia. It was nip and tuck and had a lot of touch-outs against them at the end of the meet to secure our fourth place."

PRELIMS

Six swimmers placed themselves into the A finals in four events, while four made it into B finals in two events. Five personal bests were set in the morning session. Three season bests were set, including Andersen's three-way tie for seventh in the 100 fly. Determined for a spot in the championship finals, Andersen attacked to lock in the final slot with a time of 50.53. In the 200 back, Elizabeth Richardson shaved time off her PR to remain at No. 1 on the freshman record list and as the No. 6 ISU performer. Thorson turned in the then fifth-best time in the 200 breast and moved up to become the third-ranked performer in school history.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Anna Andersen

Jessica Coffin

Bryn Ericksen

Sophia Goushchina

Emily Haan

Martha Haas

Trinity Kay

Dana Liva

Jayna Misra

Nolwenn Nunes

Elizabeth Richardson

Lucia Rizzo

Jennifer Roessler

Emma Ruehle

Michelle Schlossmacher Smith

Keely Soellner

Lehr Thorson

Kennedy Tranel

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics