Nebraska Swims Past Rutgers in Big Ten Two-Day Meet

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Photo Courtesy: NCAA Media

The Nebraska swim team defeated Rutgers 210-143 in a two-day Big Ten women’s showdown.

The Huskers took the top five spots in the 500 freestyle, an effort that was led by senior Autumn Haebig clocking in at 4:46.81. Freshman Ilaria Murzilli finished as runner-up with a 4:52.26, while senior Shannon Stott took third (4:52.39). Haebig (Grafton, Wis.) also notched a runner-up finish in the 100 freestyle with a 50.05, while sophomore Lexi Kucera finished third with a 50.71.

For the second straight meet, Nebraska took the top three spots in the 200 backstroke. Senior Madesyn Ronquillio led the solid group by claiming her ninth backstroke victory of the season (1:58.19). Sophomore Sarah Barton finished in second (1:59.44) and freshman Madison Lloyd took third (1:59.88).

Freshman Maia Hall and sophomore Ella Stein joined forces in the breaststroke to take first and second. Hall (Whitby, England) swam a career-best time of 2:14.44 to win the event, while Stein (Hudson, Wis.) was runner-up with a 2:16.80.

In the 200 IM, Nebraska native Berkeley Livingston swam nearly a career-best time (2:02.59) to win the event.

Altogether the Scarlet Knights won six events highlighted by four victories by Sofia Chichaikina and another sweep in diving by Abigail Knapton.

Chichiakina registered the fourth-best time in the Rutgers record book with an NCAA B cut in the 200 fly. The junior also added wins in 50 free and with the 200 medley and 400 free relays teams.

A career-best and zone qualifying mark was had by senior Megan Demeo on 1M, while season-bests went to the 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay, graduate student Alice Scarabelli in the 200 IM and senior Cat Salladin in 500 free and 400 IM.

It was another sweep for Knapton winning both the 1M and 3M titles at her former school. The graduate student scored 287.63 on 1M and 340.13 on 3M having upped her total to 12 titles this season.

Junior Savana Trueb claimed third on both boards scoring 280.13 on 1M and 304.94 on 3M. Additionally, senior Megan Demeo wrapped up her final dual meet with a new PR and zone qualifying mark of 280.05 on 1M.

Three of the four Rutgers relays hit the wall in first place against Nebraska.

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On Friday night, it was the 200 medley relay out in front with Alice Scarabelli, Tina Celik, Beatriz Zoppeidossantos and Chichaikina edging out the hosts by .32 seconds for a season-best 1:42.00.

Saturday saw two relay wins for the Scarlet Knights. First, the 400 medley relay squad of Scarabelli, Celik, Sofia Lobova and Giulia Ghidini opened the day racking up a season top time of 3:42.22. The meet concluded with Lobova, Ghidini, Chichichaikina and Eleonora Trentin outpacing the competition in the 400 free relay by 4.37 seconds to clock in at 3:21.03.

Chichaikina moved up the Rutgers all-time 200 butterfly list and captured an NCAA B cut. The junior Scarlet Knight logged the event’s top time of 1:59.03 giving her the fourth-best time in the RU record book. Chichiakina also went on to claim a victory in the 50 free with a time of 23.19 and placed second in the 200 free in 1:48.55.

Lobova added another victory for Rutgers in the 100 fly clocking in at 54.23 while also coming in as the runner-up in 100 free in 50.70 behind Nebraska.

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