Kansas swimmers lead double dual

Kansas’ women’s swim team won five individual events and two relays, and the Jayhawks led Missouri State and North Dakota midway through a two-day double dual Friday at Robinson Natatorium.

Winning for KU were Libby Walker in the 100 freestyle, Jenny Nusbaum in the 200 freestyle, Haley Downey in the 100 breaststroke, Haley Bishop in the 50 freestyle, Elizabeth Amato-Hanner and Madison Straight in the 200 individual medley, Yulduz Kuchkarova, Downey, Pia Pavlic and Bishop in the 200 medley relay, and Bishop, Nusbaum, Sammie Schurig and Breonna Barker in the 800 freestyle relay.

Through 10 of 19 events Kansas led North Dakota, 122-63, and Missouri State, 136-49.

“It was a mixed bag, but we’ll take it in October,” KU coach Clark Campbell said. “(Jenny) made about 10 mistakes in 1:52 that we have to clean up (in the 200 free), but she came back in the relay and had a pretty quick turnaround. It was good to see her make changes, which are tough, and see the team perform the way they did in a fairly quick format with event after event. I thought it was a good way to start the weekend.”

Kansas wore pink caps Friday night in conjunction with the athletic department’s Jayhawks for a Cure to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer.

“Tonight, the energy was easy,” Campbell said. “It was Friday night, they felt good. Tomorrow we’ll see how they bounce back. Saturday morning is tough. I think we’ll have extra motivation tomorrow because it is our senior celebration and we get to honor our nine seniors. I know that that energy will lift up the team and hopefully we swim with as much energy tomorrow as we did tonight.”