Augustana Women's Swimming Faces Minnesota State in NSIC Showdown

The Augustana University women’s swimming and diving program fell short in their Friday night showdown with the reigning NSIC conference champions, according to Augustana University Athletics.

Minnesota State University defeated Augustana University with a final score of 193-107 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Despite the overall team score, the Vikings posted several strong individual and relay performances against the conference titleholders.

In the pool, the 200 Medley relay team consisting of Addison Pavek, Agnes Virag, Kierstyn Nelson, and Margaret Reed combined for a time of 1:48.35 to finish second in the event. That mark was over two seconds faster than their top outing of the season from the previous week against Gustavus. Pavek split 28.34 on the opening leg, Virag clocked 29.76 on the breaststroke, Nelson touched in 25.91 on the fly, and Reed anchored in 24.34.

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Aga Rudomina led the Vikings in the 800 Free with a time of 8:54.39 during a 2-3-4 finish for the squad. Maggie Cole secured second place in the 200 Free at 1:59.60, marking her first outing under the two-minute mark since joining the Vikings.

Virag later claimed fourth in the 100 Breast with a personal best of 1:07.05, placing her just outside the top ten in school history. Sofia Ospina earned second place in the 200 Fly with a time of 2:13.22.

In the 100 Free, Reed finished second with a 55.07, while freshman Luisa Cossul Martinelli took fourth in 55.32. Sophomore Tova Blikre won a tight battle to the finish in the 200 Back, touching in 2:11.40 to claim a time good for tenth in the NSIC this season.

Virag returned to win the 200 Breast in 2:25.91, coming in just off her season best from the Coyote Extravaganza. Nelson took second in the 100 Fly with a 59.85, marking her first time under one minute this year, followed closely by sophomore Brianna Ridpath in third at 1:00.53.

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To close out the evening action, the 400 Free relay team of Reed, Cossul Martinelli, Cole, and Blikre swam to a 3:39.05 finish. That time was over three seconds faster than their best outing of the season and earned them second place.

On the diving boards, Avery Lommel opened the session by winning the 3-meter event with a score of 262.65, landing just off her season best. Sydnee Sandberg added a new season best of 189.15, placing her fifth all-time in program history. Lommel secured another victory on the 1-meter board, maintaining her undefeated start in NSIC competition with a season-best score of 275.15 that ranks her third in the conference this season.