IOWA CITY, IA- The University of Iowa men's and women's swimming team started their season with a splash at the annual Black and Gold intrasquad meet Saturday at the Field House pool. The Hawkeyes came together and raced for a cure, supporting breast cancer awareness. Both teams came out strong but the Gold team pulled out the victory over the Black team, 305-209. 

The Gold team was lead by captain's junior Verity Hicks, sophomore Danielle Carty and junior Max Dittmer and the Black team lead by captain's senior Stacia Johns and senior Nick Divan. Junior Verity Hicks had two individual first places in the 1000 free (10:37.33), and 500 free (5:11.99). Hicks was also on the winning 400 free relay (3:38.61) that closed out the meet.  Freshman Byron Butler had an excellent meet, taking three individual first place finishes in the 200 fly (1:57.56), 200 back (1:54.59) and 100 fly (51.16). The men swam the final heat of the meet in 400 free relay, which was a close race between the Black and Gold but the Gold team of Duncan Partridge, Dittmer,  Jake Moore and Paul Gordon posted a winning time of 3:08.07.           

"It was a great meet and it was for a great cause," said Iowa Head Coach Marc Long. "It's the first opportunity we have had to race and it's still very early in the season. It's fun for the team to have the captains pick the line up and learn a lot about our dual meets."

The Hawkeyes will travel to Truman State to open their season, October 9 in Kirksville, MO. The meet will start at 5 p.m.