MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's swimming and diving team picked up its eighth dual victory of the season Saturday afternoon as the Mavericks defeated Augustana 176.5-123.5.

MSU now owns an 8-1 record in dual action this season.

"We had an awesome afternoon in the pool and on the diving boards," head coach Nathan Owens said. "Coming off the winter break, our ten-day Orlando training trip, and the first week of classes, I thought that we had an excellent meet from everyone across the board today. This was our first time racing since the December mid-season meet, so you might expect to see a little rust from the team. We didn't see much in terms of competition rust, so it was good to see everyone get back into the swing of competing and bringing great energy.
 
"The coaches and I couldn't have been more impressed with the team's performance, energy, and effort. They had a great day in a meet where we saw a lot of fast swimming pool records go down. We've got two more dual meets to sharpen the blade and then the conference championships about three and a half weeks from now. We'll be ready."
 
Senior Aspen Warnygora set the standard in the diving events as she finished first in both the 1-meter (260.40) and 3-meter (270.55) events. Sophomore Natalie Freeman finished second in the 1-meter diving event with a score of 249.20 and third in the 3-meter diving event with a score of 228.75 also.

Senior Abby Gronholz led the way in the backstroke events as she finished first in both the 100 and 200 backstrokes. Gronholz posted a time of 56.12 in the 100 backstroke before turning in a time of 2:05.38 in the 200 backstroke. Freshman Savannah Acker finished second in the 100 backstroke event with a time of 56.37 as well.

Acker won an individual event also as she led the way in the 100 butterfly event with a time of 57.07. Sophomore Gretta Hansen added a first place finish in the 200 butterfly event with a time of 2:08.45 also.

The Mavericks also won three freestyle events on the day. Freshman Kaylie Gibbs won the 1,000 freestyle as she turned in a time of 10:48.28. Freshman Sydney Pippert set the pace in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:55.12, while junior Alexandra Gorecki led the way in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:14.72.

Freshman Averi Larsen took first in the 200 IM with a time of 2:06.26 as well.

Minnesota State returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 25, as it hosts Sioux Falls. The dual is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Highland Pool.