Badgers Wrap Up Dual Meet Season in Style

MADISON, Wisc., February 7/ THEWisconsin men's and women's swimming and diving teams wrapped up their 2003-04 dual meet seasons in style Friday night, posting convincing wins over both UW-Green Bay and UW-Milwaukee at the UW Natatorium on Senior Night.

The Badger women (11-1, 6-0 Big Ten) defeated UWGB 171-66 and UWM 171-69. The Fighting Phoenix also knocked off the Panthers 147-94. Meanwhile, the UW men (8-2, 4-1) saw seven individuals and two relay squads win 10 of 13 events to spur them to a 153.5-82.5 win over the Phoenix and a 159-79 victory over the Panthers. The UWGB men defeated UWM 151-92.

"The seniors performed up to expectations," Wisconsin head coach Eric Hansen said. "I feel like our preparations for the Big Ten and NCAA championships are on schedule."

The UW women won 11 of 13 events, led by sophomore Anna Trinidad who won two individual titles and swam on a winning relay. Trinidad captured the 200-yard individual medley title in a time of 2:03.91 before cruising to a win by over four seconds in the 200-yard backstroke (2:04.07). She also teamed up with Molly Buhrandt, Sarah Hernandez and Bethany Pendleton to set a new pool record in winning the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:34.12).

The night's other pool record came courtesy of Piper who set a new standard in the 1650-yard freestyle. Her time of 16:24.93 topped her previous record set last year by over 10 seconds. Piper was credited with a victory in the 1000-yard freestyle in the event. Her split of 9:55.87 helped her win the event by nearly 38 seconds.

"Carly's mile record by 10 seconds was a nice addition to tonight's action," Hansen added.

The Badgers also got victories from Shannon VanCuren in the 200-yard freestyle (1:52.53), Hernandez in the 50-yard free (23.61), Susan Johnson in the 100-yard free (52.34), Pendleton in the 500-yard free (4:57.07) and the 200-yard medley relay team of Buhrandt, Amalia Sarnecki, Hernandez and VanCuren (1:45.05).

Emily Pisula also posted a top time of 2:20.60 in the 200-yard breaststroke, but her performance was exhibitioned due to UW's large lead at the time.

Wisconsin also swept the diving competition as Amanda Witte finished first on the 3-meter board with a score of 273.55 and Cassie Kubly won the 1-meter board with a point total of 241.30.

Wisconsin's core of senior men turned in impressive performances during their final competition as Badgers in Madison. Chris Anderson earned first place in the 200-yard freestyle (1:42.85) while Matt Marshall's 20.65 effort in the 50-yard freestyle gave the Badgers additional first-place points.

Senior Pat Torpey completed the third first-place finish for the senior class with a 1:49.56 finish in the 200-yard butterfly. Kevin Zakrzewski contributed by swimming a leg of the first-place 200-yard medley relay.

The 200-yard medley relay squad of classmates Zakrzewski, Marshall and juniors Tim Liebhold and Eric Wiesner edged the Wisconsin "B" relay by 36 seconds with a 1:33.10 effort.

Liebhold and Wiesner added to their relay accomplishments with victories in individual events as well. Liebhold swam to first-place in the 200-yard IM (1:52.13) while Wiesner earned first-place in the 200-yard backstroke (1:50.74).

Adam Mania continued his impressive campaign Friday night. Mania won both the 100-freestyle (45.18) and the 200-yard breaststroke event (2.08.08) by over two seconds. Tom Molzahn wrapped up Wisconsin's first-place efforts with a 500-yard freestyle effort (4:42.95) which won by nearly four seconds.

Friday night’s meet marked the UW's last dual meet and home appearance of the 2003-04 season. The women will now have nearly two weeks off as they will rest for the Big Ten championships to be held Feb. 18-21 in Minneapolis. The men's team is off until Feb. 25-28 when it heads to West Lafayette, Ind. for the 2004 Big Ten Men's Swimming and Diving Championships.

Please note: The events listed as being the 1650-yard freestyle is actually the 1000-yard freestyle. Wisconsin swimmers swam the 1650 free while the UWGB and UWM swimmers swam the 1000 free. Wisconsin's swimmers' 1000 yard split was taken for the final result.

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