JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead swimming & diving saw strong performances all around to open the 2025-26 season on Saturday. The Dragons bested Jamestown in dual action, 168.5-57.5.
Relay action would begin the dual with the Dragon 200-yard medley team of
Lacie Stark,
Rose Urick,
Ruth Pavelski and
Sophia Verke earning top marks with a time of 1:51.54. Verke was particularly swift as the anchor, clocking a 24.99 split. The Dragon team of
Kelsey Jackson,
Haley Stainbrook,
Fernanda Leon and
Joanna Phillips would place third with a time of 1:57.18.
Moorhead would also claim the top two positions in the 200-yard freestyle relay to conclude the meet. The squad of Pavelski,
Maggie Moore, Phillips and Verke would win behind a time of 1:42.38. MSUM's team of
Lacie Stark,
Tresa Baumgard,
Cami Mayo and
Anika Grunenwald would earn the runner-up spot with a time of 1:45.93.
The Dragons dominated 1-meter diving with senior
Isabelle Johnson winning the event with an 11-dive score of 321.40. The score is an NCAA provisional mark for Johnson while
Zoe Bjerke would follow suit. The junior claimed runner-up honors with an overall score of 250.62, also a provisional mark.
Kennedy Olson (231.20) and
Ruth Guy (213.05) would place third and fourth for the Dragons to solidify the top four spots.
Mayo would lead the Dragons in distance swimming, winning the 1000-yard freestyle with a mark fo 11:59.72. Freshman
Turin Johnson would place runner-up in the same event with a time of 12:09.15. Grunenwald would win the 500-yard freestyle for the Dragons with a time of 5:39.23. Johnson (5:53.26) and Mayo (5:54.36) would place third and fourth respectively.
The 200-yard freestyle was won by the junior Moore, who won behind a time of 1:58.88 as Moore was the lone competitor to clock a sub-two-minute time. Grunenwald (2:05.66) and
Claire Schlaefer (2:13.59) would place third and fourth in the same event. Verke would place runner-up in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25.41. Baumgard (26) and
Sarah Coe (26.94) would place third and fourth in the same event.
Leon would earn one of her two event wins on the day in the 400-yard IM. The sophomore marked a 4:42.69 in the race to win by nearly 27 full seconds. Leon would also pick up a win in the 100-yard fly, touching the wall at 59.85. Pavelski was hot on Leon's heels in the same event with a runner-up finish (59.89).
Moore would collect her second win of the day in the 100-yard freestyle, clocking a 54.33. Baumgard (57.55) and Phillips (58.01) would place third and fourth respectively.
Kelsey Jackson would grab another win for Moorhead in the 100-yard backstroke. The junior marked a 1:00.43 time while teammate Stark placed runner-up (1:03.92).
Up Next
MSUM is set to host its first home dual of the season on Saturday, October 18 against Northern State. Action from Nemzek Pool is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
