Iowa State Kicks Off Season with Annual Cardinal-Gold Meet

Photo Courtesy: Iowa State Athletics

AMES, Iowa – The Cardinal and Gold meet kicked off the 48th season of swimming and diving with a bang. Right out of the gate, the 200 medley relay was decided by five-hundredths of a second, with Team Cardinal’s relay of Wyli Erlechman, Martha Haas, Grace Snyder and Anna Andersen (1:47.18) edging out Team Gold’s Harper Emswiler, Danica Delaquis, Rachel Resch and Laura Miksch (1:47.23).

“We tried to match up our women so that they would have to use some competitive spirit,” head coach Duane Sorenson noted. “I think we saw that tonight.”

The attention was then turned to the 500 freestyle race, where Keely Soellner (5:04.98) prevailed for Team Cardinal. Senior Mary Kate Luddy (5:07.98) placed second for team Cardinal, while Jessi Storer (5:16.53) and Kennedy Tranel (5:19.45) scored for Team Gold.

Newcomer Dana Liva took the one-meter competition for Team Cardinal, placing first with a score of 199.35. Sydney Ronald came in second with a score of 184.04 for Team Gold.

Anna Andersen followed up her performance in the medley relay by taking first place in the 100 freestyle race with a time of 52.71. The top finish for Team Cardinal put the score at 81-49. The Gold team countered Andersen’s victory by taking the top-two times in the 100 back with strong performances by Emswiler (58.93) and Kasey Roberts (59.26).

The 100 breaststroke came down to the wire, with team Gold’s Delaquis (1:06.83) edging out team Cardinal’s Martha Haas (1:06.84) by only one-hundredth of a second.

Photo Courtesy: Andy Ringgold / Aringo Photos

“We train together most days, so everyday is a competition between us,” freshman Martha Haas commented on racing with Delaquis. “She’s been a really good leader by taking the time to answer all of my questions and is always cheering me on.”

Soellner would put an end to team Gold’s momentum by taking first in the 200 freestyle (1:55.24), putting team Cardinal up 103-82 at the second diving break.

In the three-meter diving competition, there was another strong performance for Team Cardinal and Dana Liva, posting a 196.43. Ronald scored a 178.50 and Katherine Mueller finished with a 172.20.

In the final event of the night, the Cardinal’s freestyle relay team of Andersen, Evan Hundley, Luddy and Soellner took the top spot with a time of 1:38.15, sealing the victory for a final score of 122-96.

The Cyclones travel to Lincoln, Neb. next weekend for a battle with the Cornhuskers, followed by a home meet on Oct. 27th against Omaha.

Press Release Courtesy of Iowa State Athletics

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