Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney Aqualopers began the 2022-23 season this past Saturday night (Sept. 24) at the annual Sam Freas Invitational in Edmond, Okla.

The non-team scoring meet was hosted by Oklahoma Christian and featured five women's teams, including Division I North Texas. There were several men's squad in attendance as well.

True freshmen Gabby Grace (Topeka, Kan.), Caralea Holmberg (Broomfield, Colo.) and Barrett Lee (Gardnerville, Nev.) and sophomore newcomer Karley Bennett (Centennial, Colo.) had UNK all-time Top 10 swims with true freshman Joy Graziano (Centennial, Colo.) close in two events.

Grace placed eighth in the 100-backstroke with a time (1:02.24) that ranks fifth in school history while also swimming on the 200 medley (1:53.57) and 200 free (1:43.07) relay teams. Both finished in seventh place. Next, Holmberg was fifth in the 100 individual medley (1:04.56) with Columbus junior Emily Miksch eighth (1:06.38) and Lee 10th (1:08.02). Holmberg now ranks third in UNK history with Lee coming in 10th; Miksch is already on the list (5th/1:04.70) from a previous effort. 

Bennett led UNK in the 200-breaststroke in a time of 2:36.97, good for eighth place and seventh on the Top 10 list. She also was sixth in the 100 fly (1:02.53), one of four Aqualopers in the top 10. Finally, Graziano swam on both relays and paced the Aqualopers in both the 50 (25.48) and 100 (55.96) free.

UNK host the College of Saint Mary next Saturday (Oct.) at Kearney High. The dual begins at 11 a.m.