By Dan D’Addona.
The Big Ten has some key battles this week, including some exciting conference crossovers. Here is what to watch for:
Meet of the Week: Wisconsin at NC State
The No. 12 Wisconsin women’s swim team hosts No. 10 North Carolina State in a battle of ranked teams this week.
Wisconsin has started with powerhouse dual meets, beginning the season with Auburn and Minnesota. It continues against the Wolfpack.
The Wisconsin men are ranked No. 15, while the Wolfpack is No. 7.
The Badgers lost to Auburn but surged ahead of rival Minnesota in the women’s meet last week.
Sophomore Cierra Runge proved she will be huge for the Badgers after transferring from Cal.
Runge earned her first win as a Badger in the 200-yard freestyle, clocking in at 1:49.07 against the Golden Gophers, while, Chase Kinney swept the sprints with wins in the 50 freestyle (22.62) and the 100 freestyle, where her time of 49.58 ranks fourth nationally and second in the Big Ten.
Indiana vs. Texas/Florida
The Hoosiers host No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Florida in this two-day battle on Friday and Saturday. Friday’s dual meets are long course and Saturday’s will be short course.
The meet will be stacked with star power, including Olympic gold medalist Lilly King for the Hoosiers.
This is Swimming World’s Meet of the Week for the SEC. For more on the meet, click here.
Northwestern vs. Chicago/UIC/Olivet Nazarene
On Saturday, Northwestern will compete in Chicago for an Illinois battle. The Wildcats will face the University of Chicago, Illinois-Chicago and Olivet Nazarene. This is a different season for the Wildcats. Northwestern had 11 freshmen on the roster last season and only lost a two to graduation, also returning Olympian Jordan Wilmovsky.
Purdue hosts two meets
The Purdue Boilermakers have a busy weekend ahead, but get to have that busy weekend at home to open their season. Purdue hosts Miami (Ohio) on Friday, then hosts the Indiana Intercollegiates on Saturday. The latter features schools from all over Indiana at all levels. The Boilermakers will be joined by Ball State, DePauw, Evansville, Rose-Hulman, Valparaiso, Indiana State and Wabash.
MSU at Illinois
The Michigan State women have competed in just one meet so far this season and it was outdoors — in the rain — at home against Iowa and Notre Dame. The Spartans hit the road for the first time this season and will compete at Illinois on Friday. Both teams will look to build some confidence before heading into the bulk of the Big Ten season.
