VERMILLION, S.D. --- The Minnesota State women's swimming and diving team opened its season today on the road as it took on the University of South Dakota.

USD won the dual by the score of 204-93.

"The coaching staff and I were pleased with today's effort especially with it being the first meet of the season," head coach Nathan Owens said. "We ran through 16-events in three hours so there were a several quick turn arounds today and no rest for the weary. This is definitely the time of the year when we need to knock some rust off and get back into racing and competition mode.
 
"Overall, we had great team energy and did a lot of good things. We've got six meets in the next seven weeks, so this was a solid starting point to build on week to week. We're all excited to see what the team can do this year."
 
Senior Aspen Warnygora won the lone event for the Mavericks as she finished first in the 1-meter diving event with a score of 229.58. Warnygora would also finish second in the 3-meter diving event with a score of 225.83.

Freshman Savannah Acker and Averi Larsen each posted a pair of second place finishes also. Acker recorded a time of 2:29.99 in the 200 IM and a time of 2:24.52 in the 200 backstroke. Larsen posted a time of 1:00.54 in the 100 freestyle and a time of 27.52 in the 50 freestyle as well.

Senior Abby Gronholz recorded a second place finish in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:05.98, while freshman Kaylie Gibbs took second in the 800 freestyle event with a time of 9:38.67. Junior Megan Schultz added a second place finish in the 200 breaststroke event with a time of 2:51.05 as well.

The Mavericks also finished second in both relay events. The team of Gronholz, junior Klair Bradley, Acker and Larsen posted a time of 2:01.64 in the 200 medley relay, while the team of Larsen, senior Olivia Hudoba, junior Maci Boffeli and senior Elise Mishamash turned in a time of 1:51.03 in the 200 freestyle relay.

Minnesota State continues its season on Saturday, Oct. 12, as it takes part in the Rochester Invite in Rochester, Minn. The meet begins at 1:15 p.m.