The University of Wisconsin swimming and diving program announced its 2015-16 schedule on Friday, which features two home meets, as well as premier road meets against Auburn, Georgia and USC.
The Badgers waste no time beginning their formidable schedule, as the team opens the season hosting rival Minnesota on Oct. 16 at the UW Natatorium in Madison.
UW will face two other Big Ten foes with dual meets at Indiana on Nov. 13 and at Northwestern on Nov. 14.
Wisconsin takes part in the Texas Diving Invitational Nov. 19-21 and the Texas Invitational Dec. 3-5.
A challenging road stretch begins Jan. 12 at USC, followed by dual meets at Auburn on Jan. 29 and at Georgia on Jan. 30. In last season’s men’s swimming and diving rankings, Georgia finished No. 3 in the NCAA, Auburn was No. 6 and USC was No. 11. Among women’s teams, Georgia ranked No. 2, Auburn was No. 7 and USC was No. 12 in the country.
Before beginning postseason action, the Badgers will return home to host Green Bay on Feb. 5 at the UW Natatorium.
This year’s Big Ten women’s championships will be held Feb. 17-20 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The men’s conference championships take place in West Lafayette, Indiana, Feb. 24-27.
The NCAA women’s championships take place March 17-19, while the NCAA men’s championships are March 24-26. Both the men’s and women’s NCAA championships will be held in Atlanta this season.
SCHEDULE NOTES
Oct. 16 VS. MINNESOTA (UW NATATORIUM, MADISON, WISCONSIN)
The University of Minnesota men’s team finished 25th behind the Badgers’ 21st-place showing at the 2015 NCAA Championship, while the 2015 Big Ten Champion women’s team finished 12th ahead of the 13th-place Badgers.
Nov. 13 at Indiana (IU Natatorium, Bloomington, Indiana)
The Hoosier men secured a 12th place finish at the 2015 NCAA Championship, while the women’s team finished in 10th after a runner-up finish at the Big Ten Championship.
Nov. 14 at Northwestern (Norris Aquatics Center, Evanston, Illinois)
The Wildcats finished 30th at the 2015 Men’s NCAA Championship, while the women’s team enjoyed a 10th-place showing at the Big Ten Championship
Dec. 3-5 at Texas Invitational (Texas Swimming Center, Austin, Texas)
The Texas men’s team won their 36th-consecutive Big 12 title on their way to winning the 2015 National Championship. The women’s team finished seventh at the NCAA Championship after edging out USC by one point.
Jan. 12 at USC (Uytengsu Aquatics Center, Los Angeles, California)
The USC men’s team finished fourth at the 2015 NCAA Championship, while the women’s team took home an eighth-place finish.
Jan. 29 at Auburn (James E. Martin Aquatics Center, Auburn, Alabama)
The Tiger men secured a ninth place finish at the Big Dance last year, while the women’s team settled for an 18th-place finish on the national stage.
Jan. 30 at Georgia (Gabrielsen Natatorium, Athens, Georgia)
The Georgia women finished national runner-up during the 2015 season, while the men’s team notched a seventh-place finish at the national championship.
Feb. 5 VS. GREEN BAY (NATATORIUM, MADISON, WISCONSIN)
The Green Bay women’s team finished in third for the second year in a row at the 2015 Horizon League Championships, while the men’s team moved up one spot from its 2014 finish to place fourth.
Feb. 17-20 – Big Ten Championship (W) (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
The Wisconsin women finished in fourth at the 2015 Big Ten Championships.
Feb. 24-27 – Big Ten Championship (M) (West Lafayette, Indiana)
The Wisconsin men finished in fifth at the 2015 Big Ten Championships.
March 17-19 – NCAA Championship (W) (Atlanta, Georgia)
The Wisconsin women finished 13th for the second year in a row at the 2015 NCAA Championship.
March 24-26 – NCAA Championship (M) (Atlanta, Georgia)
The UW men improved to a 21st-place finish at the 2015 NCAA Championships
