Big Ten Weekly Analysis: Wisconsin Freestyle Rules; Nebraska needs Oeltjen

Wisconsin's Cannon Clifton. Photo Courtesy: Andy Ringgold / Aringo Photos

By Dan D’Addona.

The No. 12 Wisconsin women lost a close one 164-135 to No. 11 Auburn. The men’s meet was even closer as No. 6 Auburn defeated No. 16 Wisconsin 156-144.

The Badgers ruled the freestyle events, winning all four in the men’s meet.

That is going to be a strength for the Wisconsin men all season. But the Badgers are going to have to put together some stronger stroke performances if they want to contend in the Big Ten.

The freestyle events got off to a superb start.

Cannon Clifton broke his own pool record in the 50-yard freestyle, winning in 20.12 seconds to earn a NCAA provisional cut. Clifton also won the 100 free in 44.56. Brett Pinfold won the 200 freestyle (1:38.10).

Victor Goicoechea won the 1,000 freestyle in 9:17.86 with teammate Matt Hutchins second in 9:22.51. Later, it was Hutchins who won in the 500 freestyle (4:27.65) while Goicoechea was second in 4:37.12.

Wisconsin won the 400 freestyle relay in a pool-record time of 2:57.93.

In the women’s meet, Wisconsin freshman Beata Nelson won the 100-yard backstroke in 54.40 to earn a NCAA ‘B’ cut standard in her first individual collegiate race.

Also earning wins for the women were Chase Kinney, who won the 50 freestyle with an NCAA ‘B’ cut of 22.92, and sophomore Jess Unicomb, who claimed victory in the 200 backstroke in 1:59.81.

Ohio St./Rutgers at Florida Gulf Coast invite

The Ohio State women finished second at the Florida Gulf Coast Classic, finishing with 492 points just three points behind champion LSU.

It was a good early test for the No. 18 Buckeyes, who will look to contend in the Big Ten. Being edged by No. 20 LSU might be an early motivational tool that sparks Ohio State. At the least, it will be a learning experience to show how close three points really is against a quality opponent.

The Buckeyes tallied three events victories: Meg Bailey took first place in the 100-yard individual medley with a time of 56.62; Liz Li won the 100 freestyle with an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 49.94; and the squad of Macie McNichols, Maria Coy, Chantel Wynn, and Li won the 200 freestyle relay to close out the competition, edging out the relay team from Florida Gulf Coast (1:32.06 to 1:32.17).

Nebraska vs. Iowa St.

The Nebraska women’s swim team will rely heavily on senior Erin Oeltjen.

This weekend, she proved she can handle the load.

Oeltjen won four events, including two individual titles in a 195.5-101.5 win over Iowa State.

Oeltjen swept the top spots in the backstroke events, including a winning time of 56.64 in the 100-yard backstroke and added a time of 2:02.01 in the 200 backstroke.

Oeltjen helped get the Huskers off to a strong start with a win in the opening 200-yard medley relay. Oeltjen joined Jordan Ehly, Carla Gonzales and freshman Allie Worrall with a winning time of 1:45.74.

Oeltjen then helped close the meet with a win in the 400-yard freestyle relay. She joined freshmen Gonzales and Worrall and sophomore Lindsay Helferich in a winning time of 3:31.81 to close the meet.

Ehly swept the top two spots in the breaststroke events while joining Oeltjen for another victory in the 200 medley relay.

Ehly captured the 100-yard breaststroke title in 1:04.37 and won the 200-yard breaststroke in a time of 2:15.86, an NCAA B cut.

Meanwhile, Dana Posthuma swept the butterfly events, winning in the 100 butterfly (56.72), and 200 butterfly (2:06.04).

If the stroke specialists like Ehly and Posthuma can keep up with Oeltjen, the Corn Huskers will be a team to watch in the Big Ten.

Penn St. vs. Towson

The Penn State men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams defeated Towson by scores of 171-117 and 179-110, respectively. It was a good tune-up meet for the Nittany Lions because larger opponents loom in the Big Ten.

Shane Ryan won the 50 freestyle in 20.49 seconds and the 100 freestyle in 44.52.

On the women’s side junior Emily Harris won the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.84, the 200 breaststroke in 2:19.82. Freshman Maddie Hart won the 100 butterfly (56.66) and 100 backstroke (56.08).

Minnesota vs. Florida St./ Duke

The Minnesota double dual against Duke and Florida State in Tallahassee, Florida, was canceled because of Hurricane Matthew.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use