University of Kansas
South Dakota
Jayhawks Have Successful Senior Day With 241 - 105 Win Over South Dakota
10/18/2025 4:25:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas swimming and diving showcased a commanding performance in their competition against the South Dakota Coyotes on both days of the dual meet with a final score of 241 - 105.
"This meet is different in that we do more spread out over two days. We added some events that we wouldn't normally have in a dual meet. So, it's a little bit longer with more race opportunities, like a championship," says head coach Clark Campbell.
Friday's events led to a complete sweep by the Jayhawks and a plethora of personal bests. Gabi Dyer set her personal record in the 200-yard freestyle with a posted time of 1:48.83. Sammy Cummins also had a time 2:00:51 in the 200-yard butterfly, breaking her previous best in the event. And finally, Mia Waldron secured her PR as the first swimmer to take off in the 800-yard freestyle relay on Team C with her personal time being 1:55.38. Coach Campbell said, "They did a really good job. We're further ahead than we've ever been. It was a really good way to kick off our home schedule in Robinson."
Outside of breaking personal records, Kansas dominated in their respective relays. Starting off strong in the 200-yard medley, Team A composed of senior Lydia Lafferty, junior Ryan Johnston, sophomore Anna Gearhart, and senior Caroline Blake took home first place with a time of 1:41.18. Coming in at runner up closely behind Team A were teammates freshman Hannah Green, senior Aidan Howze, junior Mia Waldron, and sophomore Sophie Wallace on Team C with a combined time of 1:45.09.
The next seven events would lead to all Kansas wins including Ivy Solt in the 1000-yard freestyle, Lydia Lafferty in the 100-yard backstroke, Ryan Johnston in 100-yard breaststroke, Caroline Blake in the 50-yard freestyle, and Maya Lambert in 200-yard IM.
For the final event, senior Hailey Farrell, sophomore Gabi Dyer, freshman Ivy Solt, and freshman Sammy Cummins on Team A would post a winning time of 7:24.26, concluding the first day sweep for the Jayhawks.
It was also a success on the boards with returning Big 12 Diver of the Year, Shiyun Lai claiming first with a score of 382.95 on the 3-meter diving board. Lize van Leeuwen would take runner up with 257.55 points and Grace Zifcak placed 3rd with 234.83 points.
Saturday's action began with a special ceremony honoring the 7 seniors with the KU swim and dive program before jumping into another win in all 9 events to complete the two-day sweep.
The Jayhawks took home the first win of the day with a combined time of 1:33.51 in the 200-yard freestyle relay courtesy of Ryan Johnston, Ivy Solt, Gabi Dyer, and Taylor Cloutman on Team A.
Hailey Farrell went on to win the 400-yard IM and Caroline Blake would come out on top in the following 100-yard freestyle event. Mia Waldron would also go on to score a lifetime best time of 51:56 during the same event.
The Robinson Pool record would then be shattered by senior Lydia Lafferty, cementing her place in KU swim history with a time of 53.75 in the 100-yard butterfly.
Placing in first, junior Shiyun Lai completed back-to-back victories on the diving board against her opponents this meet after scoring 332.85 on the 1-meter board. Senior Lize van Leeuwen also scored 296.55 points in the event and senior Grace Zifcak scored 232.88.
Tait Haag in the 500-yard freestyle, Ryan Johnston in the 200-yard breaststroke, and Team A with combined effort from members Caroline Blake, Sarah Blake, Ivy Solt, and Gabi Dyer would close out the Jayhawks dual meet victory vs. South Dakota in 400-yard freestyle.
EVENT WINNERS
Friday, Oct. 17th
200 Medley Relay – Lydia Lafferty, Ryan Johnston, Anna Gearhart, Caroline Blake (1:41.18)
1000 Free – Ivy Solt (10:12.64)
200 Free – Gabi Dyer (PR: 1:48.83)
100 Back – Lydia Lafferty (54.79)
100 Breast – Ryan Johnston (1:02.02)
200 Fly – Sammy Cummins (PR: 2:00:51)
50 Free – Caroline Blake (23:59)
200 IM – Maya Lambert (2:05.62)
800 Free Relay – Hailey Farrell, Gabi Dyer, Ivy Solt, Sammy Cummins (7:24:26)
3 Meter Dive – Shiyun Lai (382.95)
Saturday, Oct. 18th
200 Free Relay – Caroline Blake, Sarah Blake, Mia Waldron, Sophie Wallace (1:33.51)
400 IM – Hailey Farrell (4:25.61)
100 Free – Caroline Blake (51.34)
200 Back – Bradie Ward (1:59.36)
100 Fly – Lydia Lafferty (Pool Record: 53.75)
500 Free – Tait Haag (4:59.54)
200 Breast – Ryan Johnston (2:18.17)
400 Free Relay – Caroline Blake, Sarah Blake, Ivy Solt, Gabi Dyer (3:26.81)
1 Meter Dive – Shiyun Lai (332.85)
UP NEXT
The Jayhawks will be back in Robinson on Oct. 31st at 3:30 P.M. CT for their annual Alumni Meet.
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Players Mentioned
