CLARA WALSTAD
Walstad is an in-state pick up, a member of Heartland Aquatics in Nebraska.
“It has been a dream of mine to swim in college and in the Big Ten, staying in the Midwest. The Cornhuskers impressed me with their amazing team culture, it is a hugely supportive group of girls and I already felt like a part of the team on my recruiting trip. Go Swim Red!”
Primarily a backstroker, Walstad has experienced marked improvement in multiple events since getting to Lincoln Southwestern High School. Note, especially, the drops she’s made in the 100 back.
| Event (SCY) | Freshman | Sophomore | Junior |
| 50 free | 25.05 | 24.21 | 23.67 |
| 100 free | 55.09 | 54.2 | 52.67 |
| 100 back | 1:01.06 | 56.64 | 55.14 |
| 100 fly | 57.82 | 57.14 | 56.02 |
RACHEL POWERS
Powers is a Wisconsin native who trains with Madison Aquatic Club. She’s currently a senior at Sun Prairie High School, and excels at mid-distance free as well as the IM’s.
TOP TIMES (SCY)
- 200 free – 1:51.07
- 500 free – 4:54.03
- 1650 free – 16:54.75
- 200 IM – 2:07.73
- 400 IM – 4:27.57
Powers touched 3rd in the 500 free and 5th in the 200 free at the 2015 Wisconsin Division 1 Championships last season, and contributed a 25.41 fly split on Sun Prairie’s 200 medley relay and a 52.61 split on their 400 free relay.
WHERE THEY FIT IN
Walstad will immediately contribute for the Huskers– she’s Big Ten Champs C-final material in the 100 back, and with a 25.78 in the 50 back, she’ll compete for a lead-off spot in both medley relays. Especially considering backstroke team leader Erin Oeltjen will graduate after this season, Walstad’s arrival on campus is very significant for the Huskers. Additionally, she’s a solid sprint freestyler, and could find her way onto a sprint free relay as well.
Meanwhile, Powers is a strong distance freestyler who is very close to scoring range in the 1650 free. She adds depth in distance free as well as the IM’s individually. On top of that, with some improvement, Powers can contend for a spot on the Huskers’ 800 free relay.
These two join 53.9-second 100 backstroker Autumn Haebig in Nebraska‘s growing class of 2021.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email to [email protected].
They join Isabelle Murray from the Cincinnati Marlins program, as well. Izzy is a solid Back and Fly addition to the Husker program.