Wisconsin-Milwaukee vs. Boston College

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, October 22. LED by two wins each from seniors Danielle Wenger and Kelsey George and junior Heidi Niespodzany, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's swimming & diving team cruised to a 156-86 victory over Boston College Friday evening at the Klotsche Natatorium. The Panthers won 10 of the first 11 events of the night and got pool records from freshmen Diana Diel and Emily McClellan to claim the big win over the Eagles in their home opener.

"Top to bottom, the girls are swimming very well," UWM head coach Kyle Clements said. "We had a hard week of practice, so I was happy that they were able to come in tired and keep doing this. From seniors to freshmen, I am very encouraged. They are supposed to be tired, but they are still going fast, so it's a great indicator on how the season is going."

Wenger claimed individual wins in the 1000 freestyle in 10:22.83 and also in the 500 freestyle in 5:08.03. George won both diving events and Niespodzany topped the field in the 100 freestyle (53.84) and the 200 freestyle (1:55.96) in front of the home crowd.

"Not having to sit on a bus for five hours and having to travel was nice," Clements said. "Just being at our home pool, finally, I think that helped with seeing those fast times. They all did well, I am happy – it was a total team effort."

George led a solid diving effort for UWM, winning the one-meter with an NCAA zone-qualifying total of 277.20 – just off her career-best of 280.45. In second was sophomore Aubrey Griffiths at 235.70 and junior Morgan Hearn third at 216.30. On the three-meter, George completed the sweep with a total of 252.60, with Griffiths second at 228.00.

Diana Diel and Emily McClellan added their names to the record book, with Diel topping the field in the 100 backstroke in a winning time of 58.44. That eclipsed the pool record time of 58.84, set back in October of 2003 by Northwestern's Katie Paglini. McClellan's record came in the 100 breaststroke, with her topping the field in 1:04.98 to break Kerry Rossow's pool record of 1:05.46 set in December of 2007.

Other winners for Milwaukee included junior Sara Wardecke, sophomore Maggi Beck and the 200 medley relay team (1:48.92).

Wardecke won the 50 freestyle in 24.50, with junior Danielle Chapman placing second in 25.03. Back won the 400 IM in 4:39.98, with sophomore Ashley Yanzsa second in 4:47.40.

Freshman Mary Kuyvenhoven just missed a victory in the 100 butterfly, with her second-place time of 59.78 just behind the winning 59.56. Sophomore Taylor Andrews had a solid night in the distance events, placing second behind Wenger in the 1000 free (10:51.10) and the 500 free (5:17.62). Senior Ellie Gross (second in the 200 free in 1:57.40), sophomore Randee Cardinal (second in the 100 free in 52.48) and junior Maggie Pease (second in the 100 back in 1:01.76) all contributed to the victory.

Milwaukee remains at home and continues with a Horizon League meet against Wright State Oct. 29, starting at 6 p.m.

Junior Jake Koll and sophomore Mike Schalla each won a pair of events to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's swimming & diving team to a convincing 161-81 victory over Boston College Friday evening at the Klotsche Natatorium. The Panthers, who also got a pool-record showing in the 100 butterfly from junior Jordan Diel, won 10 of the first 11 events against the Eagles to extend their win streak on the season to three in the home opener for the squad.

"One again, tonight really showed off the depth we have from top to bottom," UWM head coach Kyle Clements said. "There were some great swims and, even when one person was a little off, there were three more right behind him that were swimming better than normal. Every event we had someone swimming amazing, and that's what it takes to be a successful team."

Koll swept the diving events, opening the meet with a victory on one-meter with 250.10 points. He capped it with a strong showing on three-meter, recording a season-best 276.70 point total.

Schalla made short work of the sprints, topping the field in the 50 freestyle in 21.64 and in the 100 freestyle in 47.43.

Diel eclipsed the old pool mark of 50.78 in the 100 fly, winning in 50.68 to break the former mark set by Chase Gravengood in December of 2007.

"He's been working on that one for a while, so it was good to see him finally get it," Clements said. "It's an unexpected bonus. I wasn't expecting it, but it shows how much these kids have really taken to their off-season programs and come into the school year in great shape. The amount of time and effort these kids have put into training is paying off already."

Diel capped an impressive showing for UWM in the race, with junior Sky Boggio second in 52.00, freshman Sean Kimmitt third in 52.67 and junior Evan Green fourth in 52.86.

Other winners for UWM included seniors Matt Kluczinske and Dan Heraly, junior Brady Huemann, sophomore Nathan Welchlin and the 200 medley relay team (1:35.57).

Kluczinske paced a 1-2-3-4 showing in the 100 backstroke, winning in 52.77. Freshman Chris Jenkyns was just behind in 53.96 with junior Kyle Trelka third (54.12) and sophomore Sam Niesen fourth (55.26).

Heraly claimed a win in the 500 freestyle in 4:46.41, Huemann the 400 IM in 4:13.57 and Welchlin the 200 freestyle in 1:43.77.

Other top finishers for Milwaukee included freshman Jeff Maxwell (second in the 1000 freestyle in 9:50.85) and senior Jake Kalinowski (second in the 50 free in 21.74; third in the 100 free in 48.14).

Milwaukee remains at home and continues with a Horizon League meet against Wright State Oct. 29, starting at 6 p.m.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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