Wisconsin-Milwaukee Sweeps Valpo

VALPARAISO, Indiana, November 11. THE University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's swimming & diving team won 11 of 12 events on Saturday afternoon in cruising to a 161-56 victory over Valparaiso on the road. The Panthers got touched-out by the Crusaders in the final event of the night in narrowly missing the sweep.

In the men's meet, six different swimmers and one diver accounted for seven individual wins to help UWM to a 150-69 victory over Valpo. UWM also won both relay events to improve its all-time series record against the Crusaders to a perfect 13-0.

"This was just a solid team effort all the way around," UWM head coach Dave Griffore said. "I was a little disappointed getting touched out in the 200 free relay, but this sets us up nicely for the double-dual tomorrow."

For the women, the last relay came down to the narrowest of margins, with Valpo touching the wall in 1:40.78, just ahead of the Panther's 1:40.99.

Junior Jess Kelly was the only double-winner for the Panthers, recording victories in the 50 freestyle with a time of 25.59 and the 100 freestyle in 55.15. In the 100, she led a 1-2-3 finish for Milwaukee, with junior Heidi Goetsch second (55.81) and freshman Megan Skiba (56.34) third.

Skiba had a victory of her own, leading the way in the 100 breaststroke in a time of 1:09.94. Her freshman teammates also contributed to the effort, with Alex Nelson winning the 1000 freestyle in a time of 10:54.76, Shannon Berndt the 200 IM in 2:14.91 and Jenny Westfall the 500 freestyle in 5:17.97.

"It was nice to see Alex Nelson get her first collegiate win," Griffore said. "I was also very pleased and impressed with Jenny Westfall's 500 free and to see Jess Kelly swim some solid events as well."

Two of those races saw the Panthers take the top three spots. In the 1000, junior Emma McKeith (11:05.29) was second and senior Susan Harmsen (11:11.60) third. In the 200 IM, it was freshmen Bailey Nennig (2:17.04) second and Kerry Rossow (2:23.02) third.

The Panthers accomplished the same feat in the 100 backstroke, with sophomore Molly Finn taking first in 1:02.63, sophomore Kristina Hansen second and senior Katie Green third.

Other winners for UWM included senior Lindsay Caldwell in the 200 freestyle, senior Emily Duesler in one-meter diving, junior Briana Fergusson in the 100 butterfly and the 200 medley relay team of Finn, Berndt, Fergusson and Goetsch.

For the men, the Panthers took home the top two spots in four events (1000 freestyle, 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke) and finished 1-2-3 in the 200 freestyle.

Junior David Yugo led the way in the 200, winning in 1:49.05. Junior Tyler Jefferson was just behind, taking second in 1:49.61. Freshman Matt Mahoney was third.

In the 1000, sophomores Robby Leibold and David Adams took first and second, with Leibold touching the wall in 9:45.51 and Adams in 10:07.21.

In the 50 free, freshman Ed Lichinsky was the winner in 23.16, with classmate Eric Burns right behind at 23.33.

The 100 fly saw junior Ross Bittner touched-out a victory in 55.13, just topping freshman Marts Makstenieks, who took second in 55.23.

"We really spread the kids out and had them swim different events today," Griffore said. "We had them swim in other events to see what they could do and it really worked out."

Griffore had junior Chase Gravengood compete in the 100 backstroke, which he won in 54.00. Jefferson was right behind in 55.10. Other winners for UWM included senior Corey Kupfer in one-meter diving and junior Jeremy Seibel in the 500 freestyle.

Freshman Jeremy Waldhart also had a good day, taking second in both the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke.

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