2008 Woodie Awards
Swimmers, divers finish home season unbeaten
Luke Nichols
Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: Sports
The Nebraska swimming and diving team defeated Iowa State on Saturday afternoon to complete its undefeated home season.
On an emotional Senior Day, the Cornhuskers took an early lead and never looked back, easily winning the meet 190-108 and improving their overall dual record to 7-1.
Nebraska Coach Pablo Morales said he was pleased with his team's overall performance.
"Whenever you can finish your year at home on a note like this, it's great," Morales said. "We've had senior days in the past that didn't turn out so well in terms of getting a win, so you have to appreciate when you can win on Senior Day."
NU seniors Adrienne Goodman and Lynn Siemert were honored before the meet in an emotional ceremony.
Siemert said she had mixed emotions going into the meet.
"I was sad because it was my last meet, but I was also pumped up to swim," Siemert said. "With all the decorations and stuff, it gives you motivation to swim fast and sort of show off to everyone who came to watch."
Before the meet, an audio montage was played with quotes from both Morales and assistant Coach Doug Humphrey praising the two seniors for the hard work they put forth in their four years.
Goodman said the ceremony was very elaborate, which made her sad.
"You never think Senior Day will be that emotional until it happens to you," Goodman said. "But when your teammates are emotional and your parents are crying, it's hard to stay composed."
Emotion reigned before the meet, but once things got started the Huskers were all business, picking up wins in the first three events.
NU's 200-medley relay team led off the day with a first-place finish, followed by a win from freshman Brandie Kavalec in the 1,650-yard freestyle.
The Huskers then swept the 200-freestyle. Freshmen Kelsey Grushecky and Julie Giehl finished first and second, respectively. Junior Jenny Toler took third.
Nebraska was also able to sweep the 200-yard butterfly when sophomore Mariah Hutchinson finished first and Blaine Hoppenrath and Grushecky finished second and third, respectively.
Siemert was able to collect a win in the 50-yard freestyle in her last ever meet at Devaney Center Natatorium.
Morales said he was glad to see the departing senior get a win.
"Lynn and Adrienne have meant so much to the program," Morales said. "To see Lynn step up and have a real great swim means a lot and I couldn't be happier for her."
At the first diving break, Nebraska had already built a 98-33 lead.
Nebraska went on to pick up first-place finishes from Giehl in the 500-yard freestyle, Toler in the 100-yard freestyle and junior Christina Yemm in the 200-yard individual medley.
Nebraska senior Courtney Jolly controlled the diving end of things with wins in both the one-meter and three-meter events.
Morales said he was happy with how his team bounced back from the loss to Kansas on Jan. 19, but said it's still not quite where it wants to be.
"We've got more preparation to do before the conference meet (beginning Feb. 27)," Morales said. "But for the most part it was great racing, with good times. It was very encouraging."
lukenichols@dailynebraskan.com
On an emotional Senior Day, the Cornhuskers took an early lead and never looked back, easily winning the meet 190-108 and improving their overall dual record to 7-1.
Nebraska Coach Pablo Morales said he was pleased with his team's overall performance.
"Whenever you can finish your year at home on a note like this, it's great," Morales said. "We've had senior days in the past that didn't turn out so well in terms of getting a win, so you have to appreciate when you can win on Senior Day."
NU seniors Adrienne Goodman and Lynn Siemert were honored before the meet in an emotional ceremony.
Siemert said she had mixed emotions going into the meet.
"I was sad because it was my last meet, but I was also pumped up to swim," Siemert said. "With all the decorations and stuff, it gives you motivation to swim fast and sort of show off to everyone who came to watch."
Before the meet, an audio montage was played with quotes from both Morales and assistant Coach Doug Humphrey praising the two seniors for the hard work they put forth in their four years.
Goodman said the ceremony was very elaborate, which made her sad.
"You never think Senior Day will be that emotional until it happens to you," Goodman said. "But when your teammates are emotional and your parents are crying, it's hard to stay composed."
Emotion reigned before the meet, but once things got started the Huskers were all business, picking up wins in the first three events.
NU's 200-medley relay team led off the day with a first-place finish, followed by a win from freshman Brandie Kavalec in the 1,650-yard freestyle.
The Huskers then swept the 200-freestyle. Freshmen Kelsey Grushecky and Julie Giehl finished first and second, respectively. Junior Jenny Toler took third.
Nebraska was also able to sweep the 200-yard butterfly when sophomore Mariah Hutchinson finished first and Blaine Hoppenrath and Grushecky finished second and third, respectively.
Siemert was able to collect a win in the 50-yard freestyle in her last ever meet at Devaney Center Natatorium.
Morales said he was glad to see the departing senior get a win.
"Lynn and Adrienne have meant so much to the program," Morales said. "To see Lynn step up and have a real great swim means a lot and I couldn't be happier for her."
At the first diving break, Nebraska had already built a 98-33 lead.
Nebraska went on to pick up first-place finishes from Giehl in the 500-yard freestyle, Toler in the 100-yard freestyle and junior Christina Yemm in the 200-yard individual medley.
Nebraska senior Courtney Jolly controlled the diving end of things with wins in both the one-meter and three-meter events.
Morales said he was happy with how his team bounced back from the loss to Kansas on Jan. 19, but said it's still not quite where it wants to be.
"We've got more preparation to do before the conference meet (beginning Feb. 27)," Morales said. "But for the most part it was great racing, with good times. It was very encouraging."
lukenichols@dailynebraskan.com
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