The No. 10 Indiana women’s swim and dive team came into its Friday meet against No. 15 University of Louisville riding a wave of confidence following a win against the University of Cincinnati before winter break. However, it couldn’t carry that momentum into the meet against Louisville, falling 182-118 at Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center.
Head swimming coach Ray Looze credited Louisville’s strong performance after the meet.
“They were the better team,” Looze said. “We didn't have the answers in enough events to make it a competitive meet.”
Indiana’s results in relay events have left much to be desired despite the growing importance of placing well as the season draws closer to an end, and Friday’s results highlighted that issue. Louisville took first place in the 200-yard medley relay and also the 400-yard freestyle relay.
Senior diver Kristen Hayden continued to dominate the competition, sweeping both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events with scores of 319.50 and 362.10. Hayden was one of few bright spots for the Hoosier women on Friday.
Head diving coach Drew Johansen praised the Hoosier athletes in their first meet of the new year.
“The whole team was happy to be back competing,” Johansen said. “The work they did in our training camp over break is starting to pay off.”
The sister duo of Anna and Noelle Peplowski each won events for the Hoosiers, taking home first in the 200-yard backstroke and the 100-yard breaststroke, respectively.
Sophomore Ella Ristic was the fourth and final first-place finisher for the Hoosiers, taking the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:45.66.
Freshmen Ching Hwee Gan and Dominika Kossakowska made their debuts for the Hoosiers on Friday. Gan finished third in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:15.95, tallying an NCAA B cut in the process. Kossakowska finished third in the 200-yard freestyle shortly behind her teammate Ristic at 1:47.32.
Despite Indiana’s tough outing as a group, Looze believes having another meet so soon will be beneficial for the team to help it refocus as the season comes to a close.
Indiana looks to get back on track next week against in-state rival Purdue on Jan. 22 at Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatics Center.
“We’ll go back to the drawing board,” Looze said. “Our goal is to be much sharper against Purdue in a week.”
