EVANSVILLE, Ind.– University of Southern Indiana Swimming and Diving will travel across town to face the University of Evansville at Wyttenbach Pool on Friday evening at 4 p.m.
The two teams have previously matched up last fall. Both squads met in a tri-meet at Deaconess Aquatic Center that also included Valparaiso University. The Purple Aces won both contests, topping the men 162-70 and the women 126-110.
The Screaming Eagles hosted a diving only meet with the Aces last January. Sophomore Nathan Deputy prevailed in the men’s three-meter dive (271.88), setting the USI record at the time. Evansville won both the one-meter and three-meter events on the women’s side, but sophomore Maranda Uttke led the Eagles in the one-meter (225.90) and the three-meter (220.05).
Men
The men look to bounce back after falling to Bellarmine University in their last meet, 206-88. USI was led by sophomore Cole Baker, placing second in the 100 backstroke (54.13). The sophomore’s time marks the fastest 100 backstroke time of the season for the Eagles. Freshman Luke Rich earned the Eagles another second-place finish in the 200 breaststroke (2:12.57)
Junior Lane Pollock took the top spot in the three-meter dive (252.53), along with Deputy finishing second (252.53).
The Aces’ men have begun their season 1-1, after an opening meet victory over Centre College 189-105. Evansville fell in its last meet against McKendree University at Deaconess Aquatic Center, 195-95.
Women
The USI women look to build on the momentum against Bellarmine. Despite losing 153-141, the Eagles saw massive improvement from the last time the squads faced off in October of 2022.
USI had two record-breaking performances against the Knights. Freshman Elizabeth Ketcham placed first in the 100 butterfly (57.71), along with her new school record. Ketcham contributed to the record-breaking 200 freestyle relay (1:39.21) that also included freshman Simone Green, sophomore Caiya Cooper and sophomore Reagan Holmes.
Freshmen Anna Bunnell and Gabbie Meier continued their diving excellence in the last meet. Bunnell topped the scoreboard in the one-meter dive (212.83), while Meier finishing second (194.78).
The University of Evansville women have started their season 0-2, falling to Centre 162-132 and McKendree 156-91.
