Coffey Breaks Long-Distance School Record

The Nebraska swimming and diving team sent six swimmers to Columbia, Missouri for the Mizzou Qualifier over the weekend. The meet, also called the “Last Chance” meet, gives swimmers across the country another opportunity to better their times before the NCAA releases its qualifying swimmers for the NCAA Championships. The Huskers swimmers that partook in the meet were Gabby Baratta, Maggie Berning, Audrey Coffey, Katelyn Kilpatrick, Kimberly Lanaghen and Izzie Murray.

Audrey Coffey continued her momentum from the team’s time in Iowa City, where she placed eighth in the Big Ten in the 1650 freestyle. Her time in the 1650 freestyle last week (16:18.56) was good enough to rank her second in the history books, narrowly coming short of Lauren Bailey’s school record time from 2007 (16:14.36). 

During the mile swim, Coffey set a new school record in the 1000 free (9:50.13). Although she wasn’t swimming the 1000 free as an individual race, the time still qualifies for the record, which overtakes Lauren Bailey’s record from 2007 (9:50.78).

In Missouri, Coffey shaved off even more time when racing in the 1650 freestyle, re-breaking her school record from Big Ten’s (9:48.15).

The Husker swimmer’s and divers will wait until Wednesday, March 4, for the final qualifiers for the NCAA Championships. The divers will also look to qualify and compete in the NCAA Zone Diving competition from Monday, March 9 through Wednesday, March 11 in Dallas, Texas. The NCAA Championships will take place in Athens, Georgia from Wednesday, March 18 through Saturday, March 21.