Panthers Knocking on Door of Records

Friday, October 16

Iowa City, Iowa

4 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

204.5

Iowa

Panthers Knocking on Door of Records

10/16/2015 11:15:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving

By: UNI Athletic Communications

Results

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa dived into its season this afternoon competing against the University of Iowa and Michigan State University at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center on the University of Iowa's campus.

UNI fell to the Hawkeye's and the Spartans but were highlighted by outstanding performances from Rachel Siebenaller, Molly Lembezeder, Veronica Herrmann and Taylor Ostrowski, with a top-three finish on the 1-meter dive from Sarah Kemp.

Sophomore Rachel Siebenaller continued to make her splash in the pool. Siebenaller took home a fourth-place finish in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1 minute, 54.33 seconds. Siebenaller was just less than 10 seconds shy of her record in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:06.63 and a second-place finish. The team of Siebenaller, freshman Crystal Florman, junior Aftin Phyfe and sophomore Molly Lembezeder swam into third place in the 400 freestyle relay. The team was six seconds short of taking the top spot on the school record board and just milliseconds from getting into the top five, with a combined time of 3:32.96.

Molly Lembezeder was unrelenting in her efforts this afternoon, snagging a second-place finish in the 100 freestyle with a time of 51.61 seconds and a third-place spot in the 50-yard freestyle, with a time of 23.82 seconds. Lembezeder was within milliseconds of shattering both records.

Junior Veronica Herrmann was also knocking on the door of her records. Herrmann was three seconds short of meeting her current record in the 100 breaststroke, with a time of 1:06.81. She was within six seconds of her record in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:25.69.

Senior Taylor Ostrowski swam into third place in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:09.87, just five seconds short of her record in that event.

Senior diver Sarah Kemp took third place in the 1-meter diving, with a score of 231.85. Kemp also placed sixth in the 3-meter dive, with a score of 220.90.

"Today was an excellent start for our season," said head coach, Doug Humphrey. "Our relays are faster and we were much more competitive with Iowa & Michigan State of the Big 10. This meet will prepare us for battle next week against South Dakota and South Dakota State."

The Panther team heads to South Dakota Oct. 22 for a competition at 5 p.m. and then travels to South Dakota State Oct. 23 to compete at 4 p.m. The first home meet for the UNI squad is Oct. 30, playing host to Nebraska at 4 p.m.

For all updates and breaking news about the UNI swimming and diving team go to UNIPanthers.com or follow them on Twitter @UNISwimming.