ROCHESTER, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's swimming and diving team took first place in 11 events during this past weekend at the St. Cloud Invite and the Diving Quad.

As a team, MSU recorded 869 points to finish first in the team standings. St. Cloud State finished second with 686 points and was followed by UW-La Crosse which recorded 625 points.

"Our women raced hard today," head coach Nathan Owens said. "We had some great early season performances and it was encouraging to see so many ladies swimming well. They've been working hard throughout the week and have been ramping up in training the past few weeks. Training is one thing, but racing is the best experience and teacher. I'd say that we're on track in terms of where we want this team to be."
 
Junior Savannah Acker won a pair of events posted a time of 58.65 in the 100 backstroke event and a time of 5:23.37 in the 500 freestyle event. Sophomore Emily Spielman also won a pair of events, including the 200 breaststroke (2:25.07) and the 200 IM (2:08.92).

Freshman Jaylee Vobr took first place in the 100 butterfly event with a time of 58.51, while freshman Paige Samuelson won the 200 butterfly event with a time of 2:12.70. Sophomore Jessica Paulsen also won the 100 breaststroke (1:07.15) event, while junior Sydney Pippert set the pace in the 100 freestyle with a time of 53.92.

The Maverick 200 medley relay team of Acker, junior Averi Larsen, sophomore Parker Schmieding and junior Norah Naatjes turned in a first-place finish with a time of 1:46.15 as well.

Minnesota State divers traveled to La Cross, Wis., to compete in the Diving Quad hosted by UW-La Crosse. Senior Natalie Freeman took first place in both the 1-meter (263.50) and 3-meter (249.80) diving events. Junior Kaitlyn Hettiarachchy finished in seventh place in the 1-meter diving event with a score of 209.55, while junior Chloe Dobie finished fifth in the 3-meter diving event with a score 212.80.

Minnesota State returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 17 as it travels to Marshall, Minn., to compete in a double dual against Southwest Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul.