Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lead After Day 1 of Bill Ritter Invite

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, January 20. THE University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's swimming & diving team opened in defense of its Bill Ritter Invitational title in style on Friday night, as it stands in first place after day one of the event. UWM leads the way with 396 points, followed by UW-Green Bay (347), Illinois State (331) and UIC (185).

Milwaukee road a strong showing by the diving team and a pool-record time in the 50 freestyle from senior Lindsay Caldwell to the day one lead. It was an overall team effort, as the 400 medley relay team also was victorious.

The Panthers dominated the diving competition, finishing 1-2-3 on both boards. Senior Emily Duesler won the one-meter board with a score of 246.40, followed by senior Crystal Szymanski in second with 240.35 and freshman Rachel Grimm in third with a season-best 238.00.

On the three it was Grimm adding another season-best, winning with 246.50 to top her previous-best of 233.70 set in November. Duesler was in second with 245.45, with Szymanski close behind with 237.60 points.

Caldwell broke her own standard in winning the 50 free, with her 23.98 eclipsing the 24.01 she set last season.

The 400 medley relay team of sophomore Molly Finn, freshman Shannon Berndt, junior Briana Fergusson and Caldwell won comfortably in 3:58.49, topping second-place Green Bay (4:01.74) by over three seconds.

Finn and Berndt also made some noise in the 200 IM, with Finn taking second in 2:10.76 and Berndt third in a time of 2:12.19.

The Panthers go for the repeat on Saturday, with action getting underway at the Pavilion Natatorium at 9:30 a.m.

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