Swimming and diving closes out regular season

COLIN HORNING, Sports Editor

The UNI swimming and diving teams closed out their regular season in Iowa City on Friday night, taking on the University of Iowa Hawkeyes along with the Western Illinois University Leathernecks.

The Panthers were victorious against Western Illinois with a 181-43 victory, yet failed to top their in-state rival Hawkeyes, losing by the score of 137-86.

Two Panthers were able to finish in first place in their respective events this weekend, as Crystal Florman clocked in with a time of 23.43 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle, finishing in first place, while Katie Taylor finished with a time of 54.88 in the 100-meter backstroke, leading all competitors.

She also recorded a time of 56.81 in the 100-meter individual medley, once again taking first. Florman also garnered a time of 50.78 in the 100-meter freestyle, taking second place.

In the 200-meter freestyles, Jordan McCullough and Kylie Engstrom finished consecutively in third and fourth place with times of 1:57.38 and 1:57.55.

Second, third and fourth places were taken by three Panther divers at the one-meter height.

On the boards, it was Jayden Lovell leading the way for UNI. She finished in second place with a score of 236.55. Alyssa Dueso finished in third place (225.10), followed by Mary Kate Ferlmann in fourth place (221.30.).

The Panthers finished the regular season with an overall record of 7-3. They had a perfect 4-0 record at home, with a 2-3 road record for the season and won their only neutral site meet.

Up next, the Panthers will compete in the Missouri Valley Conference Championships in Columbia, MO from Wednesday through Saturday, Feb. 20-23.