University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
South Dakota
Players Mentioned
No. 24 ‘U’ Starts Season with Victories Over Nebraska and South Dakota
10/10/2025 7:45:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
The Gophers finished first in all 26 events to open the season
MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota swimming and diving programs opened up the 2025-26 season hot, swimming to victories over the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers and the University of South Dakota Coyotes. The men's program picked up a 196-47 win over USD, while the women's program collected a 198-44 win over USD and a 189-53 win over UNL.
"This is a really nice start to the year on both sides," said Minnesota swimming and diving director Kelly Kremer. "Women and men, swimming and diving, it was a really good start to the year. I was particularly happy for our first year students, it seemed they really had their feet on the ground and handled their first meet with a lot of poise. Our leaders and returners did a good job as well, and all in all it was a great meet and I'm happy with the start to the season."
Minnesota took the gold in all 26 events tonight, sweeping the medal podium in the men's 200 medley, the men's 1000 free, the men's 200 free, the women's 50 free, the men's 200 IM, the men's 100 free, the men's 500 free, the women's 200 breast, the men's 200 breast, and the women's 200 free relay.
Katie McCarthy led the way for the Gophers on the women's side, collecting three individual wins in the 1000 free, the 200 IM, and the 500 free. Ryan Slonac led the way on the men's side with two individual wins in the 50 free and the 200 back.
Gopher newcomers John Watson, Finnly Jollands, and Ethan Schutten had strong outings in their debut for the maroon and gold. Watson collected an individual win in the 200 IM with a time of 1:49.81, while Jollands collected a win in the 200 back with a time of 2:00.15. Schutten collected his individual win in the 500 free with a time of 4:32.17.
The Golden Gophers return to action next weekend in Atlanta, Georgia, where they will take on The Dual Meet Tournament, hosted by Georgia Tech on Friday, Oct. 17, and Saturday, Oct. 18.