UNK Returns to the Pool, Has Busy Weekend in Iowa

Swimming 1/18/2026 12:30:00 PM

UNK Returns to the Pool, Has Busy Weekend in Iowa

Keanrey, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney Aqualopers finished up its 2025-26 regular season by finishing fifth at the annual Grinnell College Invite this weekend in Iowa.

The two-day meet began on Friday morning and ran until late Saturday night. Each day featured prelims and finals in most events. UNK tallied 345.50 points with the host Pioneers winning (893.50) and Nebraska Wesleyan the runner up (718).

This was UNK's first outside competition since early December with the team in Florida over the Holiday Break for a training trip.

Norfolk senior Maggie Waddington had the team's top effort, placing second in the 50-freestyle (24.06). Right behind here was Beatrice freshman Jaedyn Baxa (8th/25.57) and Kearney sophomore Katy Buse (14th/25.25). UNK also had three place in the Top 15 in the 200-individual medley on Friday, paced by Kansas freshman Joslynn Grace (3rd/2:13.69) and Missouri freshman Jacey McGraw (11th/2:19.43).

Next, Grace (4th/2:29.92) was one of four Aqualopers in the Top 15 in the 200-breaststroke with Waddington (3rd/59.35) and Baxa (11th/1:02.66) cracking the Top 12 in the 100-backstroke. Finally in individual events, Oklahoma senior Miriam Finch was 12th in the tough 1,650-free (19:56.39) while Grace was ninth in the 100-butterfly (1:05.11) and 100-breaststroke (1:10.50). That breaststroke places her ninth in the annuals with Colorado freshman Delaney Madnikoff finishing 10th and now ranking 10th all-time (1:10.79).

UNK finished in the top four in four of five relays including third-place efforts in both the 200 (1:40.53) and 400 (3:40.36) freestyles. Waddington (anchor), Baxa (second) and Buse (third) swam the same legs on each. Finally, McCook freshman Maryann Kassner was fourth on the 1-meter board (307.10).

UNK heads to the 2026 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Championships next month in Grand Junction, Colo.

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Players Mentioned

Katy Buse: Sophomore

Miriam Finch: Senior

Maggie Waddington: Senior

Jaedyn Baxa: Freshman

Joslynn Grace: Freshman

Maryann Kassner: Freshman

Delaney Madnikoff: Freshman

Jacey McGraw: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Katy Buse
: Sophomore

Miriam Finch
: Senior

Maggie Waddington
: Senior

Jaedyn Baxa
: Freshman

Joslynn Grace
: Freshman

Maryann Kassner
: Freshman

Delaney Madnikoff
: Freshman

Jacey McGraw
: Freshman