UWM Women Win Again, Top Western Illinois, 143-76Jan. 27, 2007
MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's swimming & diving team extended its win streak on Saturday, topping Western Illinois on Senior Day, 143-76. The Panthers extended their dual win streak to six-straight, not having lost since the season-opener Oct. 14. Milwaukee won 11 of 13 events on the day, getting wins from eight different athletes and two relay teams. "The women's team is swimming well, but we have to be better," UWM head coach Dave Griffore said. "And if we are going to win next week [the Panthers travel to UW-Green Bay], we have to be better. It's going to be exciting to go up to Green Bay and swim on the road. As defending Horizon League champions, they are definitely the team to beat in the conference." Senior Lindsay Caldwell was the only repeat winner for UWM, taking top honors in both the 100 and 200 freestyles. She won the 200 in 1:54.27 before extending her win streak on the season in the 100 to eight in a time of 52.36. Two other seniors helped out on Senior Day with victories, with Susan Harmsen winning the 1000 free in a season-best time of 10:48.25. Emily Duesler also added another win, topping the field on the one-meter diving board with 266.50 points. That point total also gave Duesler an NCAA Zone qualifying score on the one-meter, topping the required 265 points needed. Junior Jess Kelly won the 50 free in 25.15, sophomore Molly Finn took the 100 fly in 1:02.10 and three freshman added to their impressive first seasons at UWM.
Shannon Berndt won for the 11th time this year, touching the wall in 1:06.25 to edge freshman Kerry Rossow (1:06.56) for the victory in the 100 breaststroke. Megan Skiba took top honors in the 100 backstroke in 1:02.25, while Ali Winius won the 500 freestyle in a season-best 5:17.43. "We had good swims from a lot of people, but I just think across the board we were a little flat and a little average," Griffore said. "We have to continue to go back and work hard and finish the year off." Both relay teams also won, with Skiba, Berndt, Finn and Kelly placing first in 1:51.70 in the 200 medley and Caldwell, senior Heather Sawatzki, sophomore Kristina Hansen and freshman Jamilla Edwards winning the 200 free relay in 1:41.94. The win not only extended the dual streak on the season to six, but also the head-to-head win streak over Western Illinois to five. The only other time UWM has won six-straight duals in its NCAA Division I history was the 1997-98 season. The Panthers greatest challenge will be up next, traveling to league champ UW-Green Bay on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. |
