For Immediate Release
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
NSIC Media Relations

NSIC Women's Swimmer of the Week
Averi Larsen (Freestyle/IM, Jr., Waterford, Wis. / Waterford Union HS) - Minnesota State
- Won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:06.25 versus CSP and SMSU
- Won the 100-yard freestyle in 53.44
-Swam on the first-place 200-yard medley relay team with a time of 1:48.37
-Helped the 200-yard freestyle relay team to a second-place finish
- Named NSIC Swimmer of the Week for the second time this season (10/6/26)

NSIC Women's Diver of the Week
Natalie Freeman (Diver, Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa / Cedar Rapids Jefferson HS) - Minnesota State
- Won the 1-meter diving event with a score of 247.95 versus CSP and SMSU
- Named NSIC Diver of the Week for the third week in a row

Other Top Swimming Performances
Ale Lira (Concordia-St. Paul)
- Broke the program record in the 400-yard individual medley with a first-place time of 4:46.49
- Finished second in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:13.65 vs MSU and SMSU
- Placed second in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:17.32
Maria Strong (UMary)
- Helped lead the Marauders to a dual-meet victory over Northern State
- Won the 50-yard freestyle in 24.41
- Won the 100-yard butterfly in 58.71
- Swam on the winning 200-yard medley relay team in a time of 1:48.81
- Swam on the winning 400-yard freestyle relay team
- Won a total of four events, including two individual races and two relays
Sophia Verke (MSU Moorhead)
- Won the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 24.58
- Won the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 53.61
- Anchored the winning 200-yard medley relay team
- Anchored the winning 400-yard freestyle relay team
Ella Wanschura (Northern State)
- Won the 200-yard backstroke in 2:35.12 in dual with UMary
- Led Northern State with 18 team points
- Finished second in the 100-yard breaststroke at 1:10.34
- Placed third in the 200-yard individual medley at 2:26.67
Charlotte Gibbs (Sioux Falls)
- Won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:56.76 versus MSUM
- Captured the 500-yard freestyle title in 5:28.92
- Finished second in the 200-yard individual medley at 2:12.36
- Contributed to a second-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay
- Recorded two individual event victories during the meet

Other Top Diving Performances
Kennedy Olson (MSU Moorhead)
- Swept the diving events as part of MSUM's dual win over Sioux Falls
- Won 1-meter competition with a six-dive score of 244.90
- Claimed 3-meter honors as well behind a count of 219.45
 
NSIC Women's Swimming & Diving Athletes of the Week
10/6/26
S: Averi Larsen - Minnesota State
D: Natalie Freeman - Minnesota State
10/13/26
S: Savannah Acker - Minnesota State
D: Natalie Freeman - Minnesota State (2)
10/20/26
S: Averi Larsen - Minnesota State (2)
D: Natalie Freeman - Minnesota State (3)
 
About the NSIC
The NSIC is a 16-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with institutions located in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The NSIC is a model Division II conference that uses high-level athletics competition to develop champions in the classroom and community while empowering student-athletes to be impactful and positive leaders. Formed in 1992 by the merger of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (men’s league) and the Northern Sun Conference (women’s league), the NSIC has flourished over the past three decades, maturing into a union of Upper Midwest colleges and universities. The NSIC has won 27 team national championships and crowned 128 individual national champions. For additional information, visit NorthernSun.org.

About NCAA Division II
The NCAA, the national governing body for college athletics, is a volunteer association of more than 1,000 colleges and universities that classify their athletics programs in one of three membership divisions. The 300+ institutions in NCAA Division II support a balanced approach in which student-athletes can earn scholarships based on their athletic ability, pursue their desired academic degree, and participate in all the campus and surrounding community have to offer. Division II student-athletes annually graduate at rates higher than their student body peers, and they have access to the best championships-participant ratio among the NCAA’s three divisions. Division II gives student-athletes the unique opportunity to compete in the classroom, on the field, in their career, for their causes, and on their terms. For additional information, visit NCAA.org.