Women's Swimming & Diving October 10, 2014

Panthers Come Up Just Short In Season Opener

Meet decided by final relay

Results

MILWAUKEE – Coming down the final relay, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's swimming & diving team fell just short to Oakland University, 157-141, Friday night at the Klotsche Natatorium.

In the season-opener for both teams, Milwaukee came out of the gates hot, winning the first three individual events against the preseason favorites.

With the meet on the line heading into the final event of the night, the Grizzlies just edged out Milwaukee's top 400 free relay squad by a mere five-hundredths of a second to secure the win.

Milwaukee did win seven of the 16 events on the night, including two by the talented and deep incoming freshman class of 13.

"I didn't know exactly what to expect tonight," Milwaukee head coach Kyle Clements said. "I knew from our practice times what our ladies could do in general. But it was all in theory. I didn't necessarily expect us to be that close in this meet, but we have so many different individuals who can swim so many different events. We're just starting to figure out our lineup and tonight's meet will serve as a good teaching moment for this young team."

UWM came out of the gates firing. Last year's league newcomer of the year Natalie Johnson picked up right where she left off, winning the 1000 freestyle by an impressive 12 seconds in 10:28.75. Coming in second was freshman Alena Bonaruk at 10:41.47, just beating out Oakland's top swimmer, while freshman Sami Stelpflug was fourth in 10:47.99.

It was Johnson again in the very next event, winning the 200 free in 1:54.59, edging out the next finisher by nearly a full second despite the short break.

In the 100 backstroke, another pair of freshmen quickly made names for themselves. Maddy Nelson won the event in a very fast 58.64 with classmate Emily Kinnaird right behind at 58.98 for second.

After the Golden Grizzlies won the next two events, senior captain Anna Yontz stepped up big to turn the tide back toward UWM. Just like she did in the Horizon League Championships, Yontz won the 50 free in 24.04, just beating out new teammate Mandie Siehs at 24.47. Sierra Townsend was fourth in the event at 25.02.

Yontz also won the 100 free on the night, taking the top spot in 52.54 in a close race all the way to the finish. Siehs was third in 53.26, also just touching out out an Oakland swimmer.

After a runner-up finish in the 100 back, Kinnaird wasted no time in claiming her first collegiate win by touching the wall first in the 200 back. The freshman clocked a time of 2:06.25, nearly half a second faster than the next finisher.

Johnson completed her sweep of the night in individual events by claiming yet another win, this time in the 500 free at 5:10.28.

Milwaukee also had solid showings from its diving squad on the night, with Rachel Margis, Leah Hennes and Anna Percival finishing 2-3-4 on both boards in the first meet of the year.

With the meet on the line and the capacity crowd on its feet, it all came down to the decisive 400 free relay. After neck-and-neck opening legs by Yontz, Townsend and Johnson, Siehs swam a great anchor leg to touch out at 3:31.51, just shy of the top spot of 3:31.46.

The Panthers' B-team came in third in the event as Nelson, Maggie LaMere, Bodnaruk and Emily Roche teamed up for a swim of 3:40.74.

Milwaukee will now hit the road for the first time this season next week, heading to Allendale, Mich. to take on Grand Valley State next Saturday at noon CST.

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Players Mentioned

Leah Hennes: 5' 4"; Junior; Diving

Natalie Johnson: 5' 10"; Sophomore; Freestyle

Rachel Margis: 5' 7"; Junior; Diving

Anna Percival: 5' 3"; Junior; Diving

Emily Roche: 5' 6"; Sophomore; Sprints/Fly

Sierra Townsend: 5' 8"; Senior; Sprints/Back

Anna Yontz: 5' 7"; Senior; Mid-Distance/Free

Sami Stelpflug: 5' 10"; Freshman; IM

Maggie LaMere: 5' 7"; Freshman; Freestyle/IM

Maddy Nelson: 5' 8"; Freshman; Backstroke

Players Mentioned

Leah Hennes
: 5' 4"; Junior; Diving

Natalie Johnson
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; Freestyle

Rachel Margis
: 5' 7"; Junior; Diving

Anna Percival
: 5' 3"; Junior; Diving

Emily Roche
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; Sprints/Fly

Sierra Townsend
: 5' 8"; Senior; Sprints/Back

Anna Yontz
: 5' 7"; Senior; Mid-Distance/Free

Sami Stelpflug
: 5' 10"; Freshman; IM

Maggie LaMere
: 5' 7"; Freshman; Freestyle/IM

Maddy Nelson
: 5' 8"; Freshman; Backstroke