MOSCOW, Idaho - Idaho swim & dive went 3-1 over the weekend in its first home contests of the season, splitting a pair of dual meets against Grand Canyon and picking up two victories over Simon Fraser at the UI Swim Center.

The two-day competition included an all-around team effort from Idaho with standout performances from Ginger Kiefer, Ella Haskins, Isabelle Borke and diver Emily Mack. 

Day 1 vs. Grand Canyon & Simon Fraser

Freshmen Ginger Kiefer and Isabelle Borke scored individual victories in their respective events while the Vandals 400 free relay team posted a first-place finish to help lead Idaho past the 2022-23 WAC runner-up of Grand Canyon (146-135) and Simon Fraser (226-52) on day one. A 3-0 start to the regular season is the first for an Idaho team since 2009-10 and the first win over Grand Canyon since 2019.

Kiefer added her third and fourth collegiate win in her home debut, racing her way to first-place finishes in the 1000-yard free and 200-yard back. 

In the second event of the day, Kiefer jump-started Idaho's successful day in the pool by posting her first career conference win in the 1000 free with a time of 10:19.57 - the third fastest time in school history. She followed that up with a runner-up finish in the 200 fly (2:06.48) and a win in the 200 back (2:02.61).

Borke was the second Idaho swimmer to cross the finish line in first place, taking home her first collegiate win in the 200-yard freestyle. She edged out her teammate Rylie Jones (1:53.40) with a time of 1:52.84.

Junior Ella Haskins and sophomore Grace Ruble each posted two runner-up finishes to add crucial points to Idaho's team score. Haskins finished second in the 50 free (23.84) and 100 free (51.18), while Ruble posted a second-place finish in the 100 fly (56.20) and 200 IM (2:07.02).  

The 400 relay team of Sydney Heasman, Madelynn Butler, Rylie Jones and Ella Haskins closed out the competition with a win to secure the victory over Grand Canyon. The squad recorded a time of 3:25.43 to beat out the Lopes. 

Earlier in the day, Emily Mack and Hailey Faith went 1-2 in the 3-meter dive to lead Idaho. Mack posted a 288.60 while Faith posted a score of 235.88. 

Day 2 vs. Grand Canyon & Simon Fraser

Ginger Kiefer carried her success over from day one to day two, winning her third event of the weekend in the 400-yard IM (4:26.06).

The next Vandal to cross the finish line in first place was freshman Sydney Heasman, as she posted a victory in the 200-yard freestyle (1:52.97). 

Ella Haskins (23.44), Isabelle Borke (23.95) and Madelynn Butler (24.09) took the top three spots in the 50-yard free to tack on nine more points for Idaho. 

Junior Taylor Wassel recorded a successful performance in the 200 Butterfly taking second place in 2:07.69. Heasman secured a runner up finish in the 100-yard free in 51.13 seconds. 

Kiefer continued her success later in the meet with her second win of the day in the 500-yard free, racing her way to a top finish with a time of 5:01.74.

The Vandals ended the swimming events with a win in the 200-yard free relay, taking first with a time of 1:34.45. The winning relay team included Heasman, Butler, Haskins and Rylie Jones.

The meet was concluded by 1-meter diving, where the Vandals took the top three spots. 

The Vandals will take next week off before welcoming Northern Arizona to Moscow on Oct. 20 for a 4 p.m. meet at the UI Swim Center. 

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