Oct. 27, 2006

Complete Results

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee won 10 of eleven events against Wheaton College Friday night in recording a 140-62 victory at the Klotsche Natatorium. The Panthers posted the top three finishers in the 200 freestyle, 200 IM and 200 breaststroke to help them improve to 13-2 all-time against the Thunder.

"Wheaton is a great NCAA Division-III program and we were excited to have them on our schedule," UWM head coach Dave Griffore said. "I was looking forward to our kids racing a good, quality program and they did very well tonight."

It was a team effort by the Panthers, finishing 1-2-3 in three different events. Sophomore Molly Finn led the way in the 200 IM with a victorious time of 2:12.82. Right behind her was freshman Bailey Nennig (second), followed by freshman Shannon Berndt (third). In the 200 freestyle, it was junior Jess Kelly first in 1:58.55, followed by sophomore Kristina Hansen and freshman Jenny Westfall. Lastly, in the 200 breaststroke, Berndt was the winner in a time 2:27.16, with Nennig second and freshman Kerry Rossow third.

"My goal here at UWM is to get the program with good solid depth," Griffore said. "Our women have that right now this year already and we need to build on that. I am proud of what they did - we swam great tonight."

Senior Lindsay Caldwell and Finn both recorded two wins to lead the way. In addition to those efforts, UWM received victories from both relay teams, senior Susan Harmsen in the 500 freestyle, Kelly, freshmen Megan Skiba (200 backstroke) and Berndt.

"One of our goals coming into this meet was to win every event and our girls did a pretty good job by winning all but one," Griffore said.

Harmsen led off the meet with a second-place effort in the 1000 freestyle, but followed that up with her victory in the 500 free later in the evening.

Caldwell dominated the sprints, coming in at 24.44 in the 50 freestyle and 52.16 in the 100 free.

Finn was the winner of the 200 butterfly in addition to the 200 IM, while Skiba and Berndt continued impressive freshman seasons.

Skiba won the 200 backstroke for the second time in two meets (also winning versus Wright State last week), placed third in the 50 freestyle and helped the 400 medley relay team to a first-place showing as well.

"Megan Skiba did a great job," Griffore said. "She was someone that came here as a sprinter, but we started to train her in the backstroke and now she has become a top backstroker for us and will be one of the top ones in the Horizon League."

The UWM women are off for two weeks, next taking to the pool with a road trip to Indiana for a meet with Valparaiso November 11. The non-conference dual against the Crusaders will start at 5:30 p.m.