The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's swimming & diving team completed a weekend sweep of its opponents Saturday afternoon at the Klotsche Natatorium, downing Valparaiso University, 170-114, to close out the semester schedule.

Juniors Ashley Hall, Molly Finn and Kristina Hansen and sophomores Kerry Rossow and Bailey Nennig led the way against the Crusaders. Each finished with two individual wins to help UWM increase its all-time record against Valpo to 13-1.

Senior Jess Kelly, sophomore Shannon Berndt, freshman Kelsey Ogle and the 200 medley relay team also posted wins, giving Milwaukee 14 of 16 events on the day.

"It was nice ending the semester of competition on a high note," UWM head coach Dave Griffore said. "It was a long weekend - but, the kids hung tough and we did well."

Hall swept the diving events for the second-straight day, winning the one-meter board with 248.40 points and the three-meter with a score of 280.73. She now has 12 victories in 16 attempts this season.

Finn swept the butterfly events, taking home the win in the 100 in 59.32 and the 200 in 2:06.76.

Hansen brought home the victory in each backstroke event, touching the wall in 1:01.51 in the 100 back and 2:12.20 in the 200 for the sweep.
 
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Rossow once again added her name to the record book, eclipsing the pool record in the 100 breaststroke on the day. Her time of 1:05.46 broke the old standard of 1:05.74, set by Shannon Berndt last year. Berndt placed second in the race in a time of 1:07.33.

Nennig stepped up with a huge day, recording her first victories of the season in the 200 freestyle and in the 500 free, which she was swimming for the first time this season. She finished the 200 in a season-best 1:58.90 and had a time of 5:15.32 in the 500. She led a one-two-three finish for UWM in the 200, with freshman Danielle Wenger second in 1:59.09 and senior Heidi Goetsch third in 2:00.21.

"It was good to see different swimmers come up with victories," Griffore said. "Everyone needs to contribute and everyone is showing they can."

Kelly claimed a win in the 100 free in 54.46 and nearly pulled off the sprint sweep. Her time of 25.12 in the 50 free was touched-out by .13 of a second.

Ogle won the 1000 free in 10:48.51 as the Panthers took the top three places. Sophomore Alex Nelson was second in 10:51.18 and freshman Suzy Paasch third in 10:51.76. Berndt rounded out the individual winners with a victory in the 400 IM in 4:46.44.

The 200 medley relay team of junior Kate Riebe, Rossow, freshman Amanda Nelson and Kelly opened the afternoon with a win in a time of 1:48.74.

Milwaukee is off for the rest of the semester, returning to the pool next year when it heads to Florida for its annual training trip, starting Jan. 3.   

 

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee defeated Valparaiso’s women’s swimming and diving team 170-114 on Saturday afternoon in a dual meet held in Milwaukee, Wis.
            Valpo earned victories in two of the 13 events on the day, including an individual win from Jaclyn Krause (Rochester, Mich./Notre Dame Prep H.S.) in the 50 freestyle.  The sophomore touched the wall in a time of 24.99 seconds.
            The Crusaders also earned a victory in the 200 freestyle relay, the day’s final event.  Rachel Majercik (Schaumburg, Ill./Conant H.S.), Becky Crabtree (Mason, Ohio/Mason H.S.), Kati Smethurst (Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge H.S.), and Krause finished in a time of 1:39.25, out-touching Milwaukee by .16 seconds.
            Elizabeth Thompson (Norman, Okla./Norman North H.S.) earned a runner-up finish for the Brown and Gold in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:15.32.
            Valparaiso now has a month off before returning to the pool on January 11 against Michigan State at the Athletics-Recreation Center pool.  The first event begins at 5 p.m.
 
 Valparaiso dropped a 186-77 decision to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Saturday afternoon in men’s swimming and diving competition held in Milwaukee, Wis.
            Skyler Lennan (Lee’s Summit, Mo./North H.S.) led the way for the Brown and Gold with a runner-up finish in the 200 breaststroke.  The freshman touched the wall in 2:22.19, nearly matching his season’s best in the event.
            Adam Jajtner (Port Washington, Wis./Port Washington H.S.) finished third in the 200 freestyle with a season’s best mark of 1:47.76.  Andrew Geibel (Bartlesville, Okla./Bartlesville H.S.) also placed third in the 100 breast with a time of 1:05.01, also a season’s top time.
            David Sivak (Hobart, Ind./Hobart H.S.) was third in the 50 free with a mark of 22.18 seconds.
            Valparaiso now has a month off before returning to the pool on January 11 against Michigan State at the Athletics-Recreation Center pool.  The first event begins at 5 p.m.