The first day of finals of The Big Challenge hosted at the Capital Federal Natatorium concluded with the ladies from Nebraska taking the top spot, who were followed by Kansas and Illinois for the top-three.
Friday Finals Schedule
- 200 yard free relay
- 500 yard free
- 200 yard IM
- 50 yard free
- 400 yard medley relay
The Nebraska Cornhuskers cruised a 1:30.92 to win the 200 yard free relay with a wide, three second margin. Only .20 of a second separated Iowa State, Illinois, and Kansas, but the Iowa State relay soared into the wall to nip 2nd from the other two.
Gabbie Stecker from Illinois recorded the lone sub 4:50 500 yard free at 4:48.76 to win over Nebraska’s Katt Sickle (4:50.58) and Kansas’ Nika Fellows (4:54.17). Stecker’s time was also just shy of her own school record in this event.
The 200 yard IM witnessed its top-four all under 2:02, but 400 IM All-American Chelsie Miller of Kansas had the lowest mark at 2:01.24. It’s off her best time that was recorded at Big 12’s last spring, but she’s primed to take home a championship trophy of her own come 2016. Places 2-4 were spaced by only .15 by Anna McDonald, Kasey Roberts, and Marissa Engel.
The Cornhuskers got a 1-2 sweep in the 50 yard free with seniors Taryn Collura (22.75) and Alex Bilunas (22.98) and collected more points from deep finishes by Bria Deveaux (23.17) and Erin Oeltjen (23.38).
And to wrap the night with a bow, the Nebraskan squad of Jacqueline Juffer, Katie Ditter, Deveaux, and Collura threw up a 3:39.88 to win the 400 yard medley relay. Illinois and Kansas dropped in at 3:42’s for 2nd and 3rd, while the rest of the heat finished above a 3:43.
Women’s Scores
- Nebraska – 298.5
- Kansas – 236
- Illinois – 214
- Iowa State – 173.5
- Northern Iowa – 77
- Nebraska Omaha – 46