VERMILLION, S.D. -
The University of South Dakota men's and women's swimming and diving teams split a pair of duals with Minnesota State-Mankato in NCC action on Thursday at the DakotaDome Pool.
The Coyote women improved to 2-0 in duals this season by defeating MSU, 145-98. The USD men's team fell to 0-2 on the season after dropping a 157-64 decision to the Mavericks. The USD women's team had eight individual or relay victories against the Mavericks. The Coyote men's team had 12 individual or relay top-three finishes against the Mavericks.
The USD women's team achieved three NCAA DII swimming and diving provisional cuts by Leita Rolfe (Newcastle, Wyo.) in the 200 IM (2:25.90), Stacy Bjorlie (Austin, Minn.) in the 50 free (27.54), and Emilie Kluth (Columbus, Neb.) in one-meter diving (245.25).
Rolfe led the USD women's team by setting the school (meters) and pool record in winning the 200 IM (2:25.90). Rolfe also swam on the winning 400 free relay (4:07.73) with Mary Klima (Leavenworth, Kan.), Angela Bergmann (Grand Rapids, Minn.) and Bjorlie.
The women's team also received individual titles from Sara Holman (Bloomington, Minn.), the 800 free (9:33.54); Bjorlie, 50 free (27.54); Erin Wagoner (Newcastle, Wyo.), 100 fly (1:06.67); and Megan Gordon (Grand Rapids, Minn.), 100 backstroke (1:06.50).
Kluth led a dominant performance by the USD women's diving team. She won both the one-meter (245.25) and three-meter (254.95) competitions. The Coyote women put together impressive performances as they swept the top-four places on both boards. Jill Smolczyk (Omaha, Neb.) finished second in the one-meter (238.50) and three-meter (249.60) diving competitions. Kacie Miller (Denver, Colo.) finished third on the one-meter (209.75) and three-meter (214.35) boards while Hannah Roetzel (Newcastle, Wyo.) finished fourth on both boards (one-meter, 195.40; three-meter, 192.70).
The men's team was led by Josh Fleming (Lincoln, Neb.) and David Lind (Kearney, Neb.). Fleming finished second in both the 200 IM (2:19.27) and 100 breast (1:09.44).
Lind finished second in the 800 freestyle (9:17.33) and as a member of the 400 freestyle relay (3:53.77). Other members of the relay included Justin O'Connor (Bloomington, Minn.), Ty Clikeman (Gillette, Wyo.) and Mike Olson (Lincoln, Neb.).
Nate West (Lincoln, Neb.) captured second in the 50 free (25.92) and Jody Lutz (Ardmore, Okla.) was second in the 100 fly (1:04.27).
The Coyote men's team will travel to South Dakota State University for a dual on Friday (October 26) beginning at 6:30 p.m. The women's team will host Northern Iowa on Saturday (October 27) at 10 a.m. at the DakotaDome.
