Completed Event: Swimming and Diving versus Cardinal & Gold on September 18, 2026 ,
Final
Swimming and Diving
Cardinal & Gold
Iowa State University Athletics
Photo by: LUKE LU @KL6PHOTO
Iowa State Loses to Illinois in Day One Pentathlon
10.16.2026 | Swimming and Diving
URBANA-CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Iowa State Swimming & Diving team had a test of overall speed tonight with each swimmer participating in a Pentathlon-style meet against Illinois, with the Illini grabbing the win, 2201.5-1288.5. The Cyclones were led by quality performances by Emma Kuhn placing 4th, Grace Swoboda in 5th, and Keirlyn Mullica in 6th.
The Pentathlon consisted of the 50 Fly, 50 Back, 50 Breast, 50 Free, and ended with the 100 IM. Each individual swimmer earned points after 5 heats in each event. The final standings for the Pentathlon are formatted in a high point list.
How It Happened
The 50 Fly saw Grace Swoboda finish third (25.72), Emma Kuhn finish fourth (25.78), and Keirlyn Mullica finish eighth (26.25). These three swimmers combined for 99 points in the event.
In the 50 Back, Kuhn had another fourth-place finish (26.86) and Mullica improved to sixth place (27.21). Junior Lili Neisser and Sophomore Piper Hagen both tied for tenth at 27.61 seconds.
Swoboda continued her winning streak in the 50 Breast, winning with a time of 28.88 seconds. Three other Cyclones were with her in the top 10: Anja Peck in fourth (30.47), Emma Kuhn with another top five finish in fifth (30.55), and freshman Mariana Caldeira in seventh (30.77).
Swoboda stayed on the podium for the 50 Free, finishing third (24.13). Mullica & Neisser found the top ten, placing sixth (24.72) and tenth (24.85) respectively.
The Cyclones ended the night with four swimmers finishing in the top 8 for the 100 IM. Swoboda and Kuhn went second (57.43) and third (57.43) respectively, Peck finished sixth (59.64), and Mullica placed eighth (59.92).
The scores for tonight's diving performances will be added into the dual meet scores for tomorrow.
"The overall racing was solid for the Cyclones," said head coach Matt Leach. "Tomorrow will be a normal dual meet and I am excited to see our athletes continue to learn, grow and compete against a well-coached team in Illinois. Go Cyclones!"
On Deck
The Cyclones will conclude their campaign in Urbana-Champaign tomorrow in a dual meet against Illinois. Day Two sessions will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the ARC Pool.
Event Winners
50 Fly – Chloe Diner, Illinois, 24.92
50 Back – Sophia Paduano, Illinois, 26.45
50 Breast – Grace Swoboda, Iowa State, 28.88
50 Free – Isabella Wilhelm, Illinois, 23.58
100 IM – Chloe Diner, Illinois, 56.27
Players Mentioned
Breast/Free
/ Swimming and Diving
Free/IM
/ Swimming and Diving
IM/Back/Fly
/ Swimming and Diving
Backstroke
/ Swimming and Diving
Back/Free
/ Swimming and Diving
Breast/IM
/ Swimming and Diving
Breast/Free
/ Swimming and DivingThursday, July 22
Monday, January 27
Wednesday, December 19
Monday, December 10
