The women’s swimming and diving team won their first meet of the season against Minnesota State-Mankato at the DakotaDome Friday evening. Breaking five program records, the Coyotes won 14 of the 16 events.
Junior Sabrina Sabadeanu, freshman Isabelle Davenport and senior Hannah Gupton competed on the opening 200 meter medley relay with a record-breaking time of 1:59.53.
Sabadeanu set a new record of 2:20.60 for the 200 meter backstroke with a margin of three minutes 20 seconds. Not only did she set this record, Sabadeanu broke another record in the 200 meter individual medley (IM) and cleared the 100 SC meter backstroke with a time of 1:06:29, earning her the title of Summit League Swimmer of the Week.
“I think we are doing really good, the girls are getting along, supporting each other, and this team is so much more a family than just a team,” Sabadeanu said. “That shows in our finish times, when we always have each others back, especially in practice. I’m excited for the season to continue and to see my time get better and faster.”
Sarah Schank, a senior all-league honoree, set a new school record in the one meter diving event.
“I think it was a good first meet, we did a really good job and I think we are just looking forward to the next meet,” Schank said. “Overall, we did a really good job.”
Taylor Kidd, a senior with all-Summit League honors, claimed gold at the 200 and 400 meter freestyle with times of 2:12.84 and 4:40.70, respectively.
Katie Coleman led the 200 SC meter freestyle relay with a new record time of 1:49.50. Freshmen Jordyn Schnell and Meghan Atwell swam the middle legs, making their record-setting debuts. Hannah Gupton attained a time of 27.23 to complete the 200 relay.
Senior Morgan Holt set a new mark in the 200 meter butterfly with a final time of 2:24.73, 2.61 quicker from the previous record of 2007.
Holt, who placed first in all her races, said she was not thinking about breaking any records.
“It’s going to be a super good season. We have an awesome team this year, awesome roommates, awesome coach and awesome training staff,” she said. “It could not be a better environment. I’m pretty stoked for this year.”
Completing the list of freshmen competitors was Leah Drengenberg, a triathlete who, in her first collegiate swim meet, cleared the 800 SC meter freestyle race with a time of 9:33.04.
“I was really happy with my time. I wasn’t really sure how fast I was going to swim because I’m in triathlete season right now,” Drengenberg said. “My goal is to keep cutting down my time and see where I can go with my freshman year.”
Sophomore Haley Pederson totaled 271.05 points in the three meter dive for the first place position.
Jason Mahowald said the meet was a good first test to open the season and for the 13 freshmen to have a meet experience.
“They did a good job tonight. We had a couple of team records that came down which is good to have that happen this early in the season,” Mahowald said.
USD totaled 194 points through 16 events while Minnesota State-Mankato came in with 102 points.
Coyotes’ swimming and diving will compete in their next meet at the Kansas Tri-Duals in Lawrence, KS on Oct. 12-13.
