Panthers Win Three Events In Narrow Loss To Northwestern

Milwaukee dominates freestyle events

Results

Evanston, Ill. – The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's swimming & diving team won three events in a narrow 137-98 loss to Big Ten power Northwestern at the Norris Aquatics Center Friday night.

"It was great to get back out there and compete after about six weeks without a meet," Milwaukee head coach Kyle Clements said. "The men started fast and finished even faster. It was great to finally be able to add Max Gatzke to our official roster. He's a great addition. He'll add some great depth in our distance events and we'll be a faster team with him on our roster, which was evident today."

Tim Halverson started the winning ways by taking the top spot in the 500 freestyle. The junior touched the wall at 4:39.64, just edging out teammate Kenny Stelpflug in second at 4:39.89.

Next up was J.J. Melville, taking the top spot in the 200 breaststroke in 2:09.81. Taylor Wisdorf came in second overall at 2:10.53 with Joe Chokran third at 2:11.72.

UWM also claimed the top spot in the 200 free relay. Mike Lucchesi, Tanner Nimke, Erik Wahlgren and Nick Menninga teamed up to touch the wall first in 1:23.72.

Milwaukee showed off its depth in the 1000 free. Newcomer Max Gatzke took second in 9:30.88 – the fastest time in the Horizon League this season by nearly a full seven seconds. Stelpflug was third at 9:38.10 and Nic Halverson was fourth in 9:42.11 – both are season-best times.

In the 200 free, T. Halverson nearly topped Northwestern's elite swimmer Jordan Wilimovsky. The two were neck-and-neck much of the race with Halverson eventually settling for second at 1:42.84 – just shy of his season best and the win.

UWM continued to show off its freestyle speed, going 2-3 in the 50 free. Lucchesi came in second with a season-best time of 20.92. Menninga touched the wall in 21.18 for third.

Lucchesi also had a second-place finish in the 100 free with a time of 46.38, just half a second shy of the win. Menninga was fourth in the event at 46.64.

In diving, senior K.J. Heger posted a pair of runner-up finishes on the day. Heger posted an outstanding score of 351.98 on the three meter. Freshman Marcel Harris was fourth at 292.65. On the one-meter competition, Heger again came in second with a very strong score, tallying 307.58 points in all.

The Panthers are right back at it tomorrow, taking on Chicago at the Klotsche Natatorium at 1 p.m. Prior to the meet; UWM will honor its nine seniors as it is the final home meet of the year.

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