Minnesota Women Clock NCAA ‘A’ Cut in 200 Free Relay on Day 2 of Big Ten Quad

Minnesota vs Northwestern vs Purdue vs Iowa

• Friday & Saturday, January 28 & 29, 2022
• Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center, Minneapolis, MN
• SCY (25 yards)
• Friday Results
• Saturday Results

Friday Recap

Team Scores

Women

• Minnesota – 299, Iowa – 41
• Northwestern – 183, Minnesota – 170
• Northwestern – 295, Iowa – 42

Men

• Minnesota – 190, Purdue – 163
• Northwestern – 188.5, Minnesota – 164.5
• Northwestern – 201, Purdue – 151

Saturday Recap:

The Big Ten action continued in Minneapolis on Saturday, playing host to more fast racing in the lead-up to the Big Ten Championships in late February. The hosting Golden Gophers got the ball rolling immediately, swimming a 1:28.43 to win the women’s 200 free relay. Olivia Bloomer (22.35), Hannah Cornish (22.12), Maggie Summit (21.78), and Grace Bennin (22.18) teamed up to match the NCAA ‘A’ cut in the event, automatically qualifying Minnesota to race the relay at NCAAs. Additionally, the swim marked a team record for Minnesota. Northwestern took 2nd in 1:28.50, marking a program record as well.

Purdue picked up a decisive win in the men’s 200 free relay, clocking a 1:17.63, which is under the ‘B’ cut. Nick Sherman led that team off in 20.10, then Ryan Hrosik split 19.32, Brady Samuels swam a 19.05, and Nikola Acin anchored in 19.16.

Jasmine Nocentini and Maddie Smith continue proving to be a lethal sprint duo for Northwestern. After going 1-2 in the 50 free on Friday, Nocentini and Smith touched 1st and 2nd in the 100 on Saturday. Nocentini won the race in 48.46, with Smith just 0.06 seconds behind in 48.52. For Nocentini, the swim marked a personal best by 0.40 seconds, dipping under her previous mark of 48.86, which was set in November at the Purdue Invite. Smith has a personal best of 47.98.

Lola Mull followed up her massive lifetime best in the 1000 free on Friday with a win in the 500 free on Saturday. After clocking a 9:34 in the 1000, Mull swam a 4:44.09 in the 500. The time is just 0.20 seconds off her season best, which she also swam at the Purdue Invite in November.

Breaststroke superstar Max McHugh followed up his NCAA-leading 50.58 100 breast on Friday with a 1:52.57 200 breast on Saturday. The swim was roughly a second off McHugh’s season best, which he posted in December. Northwestern’s Marcus Mok took 2nd in 1:54.51. The swim was just off Mok’s personal best of 1:54.01 from last year’s Big Tens. Moreover, his swim yesterday has a chance of being fast enough to earn him an invite to NCAAs.