Wisconsin Women Lead, Men Trail at Conference Tri-Meet

MADISON, Wisconsin, January 19. THE Wisconsin women's team dominated the first of a two-day tri meet, as it won 8 of 9 swimming events and holds comfortable leads against Purdue (119-86) and Minnesota (126-77). Meanwhile, the men's team trails Purdue 128.5-66.5 and Minnesota 147-58.

The University of Wisconsin men's and women's swimming and diving teams set two pool records on the first day of competition of the annual Big Ten Tri Duals Friday night at the UW Natatorium.

Sophomore Yi Ting Siow won the 200-yard IM with an NCAA "B" time of 2:00.78, breaking the previous mark of 2:01.39 set in 2000. UW's other pool record came in the 800-yard freestyle relay, as Susan Johnson, Jen Illescas, Liz Klanderman and Hannah McClurg's winning time of 7:25.16 broke the 2000 mark of 7:26.15.

"Our women's team was extremely sharp today," head coach Eric Hansen said. "There were so many individuals that did well, and our relays came through."

The other relay was the 200-yard medley, and Johnson and Siow combined with Jenny Gelden and Jackie Vavrek to win in 1:43.55. Johnson also won the 100-yard backstroke (55.77, NCAA "B" time), and Siow also took the title in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:03.55, NCAA "B" time).

Other winners were freshman Gabby Maddalena in the 1000-yard freestyle (9:52.65), Illescas in the 200-yard freestyle (1:50.77) and Vavrek in the 50-yard freestyle (23.21, NCAA "B" time).

Sophomore Scott Rice was the lone winner on the men's side; he rallied in the final lap to triumph in the 200-yard butterfly (1:48.23). Meanwhile, the Badgers got third-place finishes from sophomore Kyle Sorensen in the 50-yard freestyle (21.16) and freshman Derrick O'Donnell in the 200-yard IM (1:53.76).

"I think with where we are in the season and how young the men's team is, I saw a lot of positives despite the scores," Hansen said. "I see a lot of progress, and I truly believe that the men's team will be really good by the Big Ten championships."

In diving, Jenny Hawkins captured seventh (204.35) and sixth (252.85) on the 1-meter and 3-meter boards, respectively, to lead the Badgers. On the men's side, Dan Smith placed sixth on the 1-meter board (242.55), while Al Morrison notched sixth on the 3-meter board with a score of 249.00

"I thought we had some good performances today," diving coach Tom Michaël said. "When you compete against some of the best divers in the conference, you learn to step it up."

Tomorrow, the top two divers from each school will compete in a 3-meter "shootout" that will not add to the meet's point total.

"I was very impressed with Dan Smith on the 1-meter board," Michaël said. "And Jenny Hawkins' dives are all starting to come together."

The Big Ten Tri Duals conclude tomorrow at noon.

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