The Iowa men’s swimming and diving team got off to a strong start Friday evening at the Shamrock Invite.

After the first day, Iowa leads Denver 78-29 and Notre Dame 66-43, while staying tied with Missouri at 54.5 points apiece.

Sophomores Ryan Phelan and Duncan Partridge, junior Sean Hagan, and freshman Jordan Huff opened the meet with a win in the 200 free relay (1:22.36).

The Hawkeyes then went on to place first in two of the next four events, with sophomores Paul Gordon placing first in the 500 free (4:30.16), and Partridge placing first in the 50 yard freestyle.

After the Iowa’s wins, Missouri went on to win the last two events to keep pace with the Hawkeyes

Iowa continues action tomorrow at 9 a.m. Central time, with the final heats taking place at 4 p.m.

— by Patrick Rafferty

The Iowa women’s swimming and diving team had a successful first day at the Shamrock Invitational on Friday in South Bend, Ind.

The Hawkeyes trail Missouri and Notre Dame heading into Saturday but lead against Denver.

Iowa opened up the meet with a second-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay, led by seniors Christine Kuczek, Julie deBruin, junior Katarina Tour, and sophomore Daniela Cubelic.

Tour also added a first-place in the 200 individual medley, while deBruin, Cubelic, and Kuczek finished third, fifth, and sixth, respectively, in the 50 freestyle.

Junior Veronica Rydze continued her success on the diving board, finishing third in the 3-meter dive.

“We’re having some really exciting racing,” Iowa head swimming coach Marc Long said. “That’s why we’re here. It’s still early. We have two more sessions to go, and we’re expecting some great races again tomorrow.”

Day Two starts tomorrow at 9 a.m. Central time. Live results can be found at http://www.und.com/livestats/w-swim/.

— by Mitch Smith