Coelho leads Mustangs against Iowa Western, Sterling

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — The Morningside University women's swim team recorded several strong performances and season-best times Saturday at the Iowa Western Community College Meet, competing against the host Reivers and Sterling College.

The Mustangs opened the meet with a second-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay, as the "A" team of Jaden Ochsner, Alice Mahoney, Leonor Coelho, and Elena Santelli posted a time of 2:00.18, just behind Iowa Western. The "B" relay of Delaney Biesecker, Lily Schwickerath, Olivia Ramaeker, and Lily Jackson followed in fourth at 2:11.21.

Leonor Coelho led the Mustangs individually, as she claimed victory in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 57.16 seconds, edging Iowa Western's Onye Onovo by just 0.13 seconds. Coelho also took first in the 200 individual medley, finishing in 2:31.90 ahead of teammate Ochsner, who placed second in 2:37.79, giving the Mustangs a 1–2 sweep in the event.

Alice Mahoney added another strong showing with a second-place finish in the 200 freestyle at 2:09.53, and later earned a win in the 100 backstroke, clocking 1:06.68 to lead the field. Elena Santelli also contributed valuable points with third-place efforts in both the 200 freestyle (2:13.27) and 100 backstroke (1:08.98).

In the sprints, Delaney Biesecker led a tight group of Mustang finishers in the 50 freestyle, placing fourth in 27.77, with Ramaeker and Schwickerath finishing just behind her.

Morningside closed the meet with a second-place showing in the 400 freestyle relay, as Mahoney, Coelho, Jackson, and Santelli combined for a time of 4:05.04, solidifying a strong overall team effort in Council Bluffs.

The Mustangs will return to action on Oct. 25 when they host Iowa Lakes and Southwest Minnesota State.