Nov. 2, 2007

Results

WHEATON, Ill. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's swimming team won 10 of 11 events against Wheaton College Friday to record its first victory of the young season, 147-57. Junior Robby Leibold posted three wins and senior Chase Gravengood and sophomore Jeremy Waldhart each had two victories to lead Milwaukee to its sixth-straight victory over the Thunder.

"It is always good to get that first win of the season," UWM head coach Dave Griffore said. "We have to be better though. We have been practicing well but not competing where we need to be. We are going to have to be better next week."

UWM improved its all-time record against Wheaton, an NCAA Division III school, to an impressive 17-1.

Leibold continued his fast start to the season, adding three more victories at the meet, topping the field in the 500 freestyle, 200 butterfly and 200 IM. He now has seven wins and four second-place finishes in 11 races this year. Gravengood won the 200 free and 200 breaststroke, while Waldhart posted wins in the 1,000 free and 200 backstroke.

The Panthers had a great team effort overall, earning a 1-2-3 finish in three different events. One of those was the 500 free, with Leibold first in 4:43.56. Freshman Dan Heraly was second (4:50.92) and junior David Adams third (4:57.93).

Leibold's other wins came in the 200 fly in a time of 1:57.38 and in the 200 IM in 1:59.91.

Gravengood earned his first two individual wins of the season, leading a 1-2-3 finish for UWM in the 200 free. His time of 1:46.19 touched out Heraly (1:46.39) for the win, with sophomore Matt Mahoney third in 1:51.38. Gravengood also won the 200 breast in 2:15.11.

Waldhart swam the 1,000 free for just the second time in his collegiate career, touching the wall in 10:00.30 to edge freshman freshman Bill McCarty (10:00.84) by just over a half-second. He also paced a 200 back event that saw Milwaukee take the top four spots. Waldhart (1:57.30) led the way, with freshman Garrett Dissmore (2:00.23) second, sophomore Dennis Knipfer (2:05.24) third and senior Ross Bittner (2:06.16) fourth.

Freshman Jake Kalinowski added a solid meet, winning the 100 free in 48.06 and taking second in the 50 free in 22.04.

The Panthers were also victorious in both relays, with McCarty, senior David Yugo, Waldhart and Kalinowski winning the 400 free relay in 3:13.95 and Dissmore, sophomore Cody Smith, Gravengood and junior Andrew Belton topping the field in 3:37.45 in the 400 medley relay.

Milwaukee continues its season away from home Nov. 10, swimming at UIC, taking on the host Flames, Butler and North Dakota.