Nov. 5, 2010

Results

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's swimming team extended two winning streaks with a convincing 141-57 victory over Wheaton College Friday evening at Klotsche Natatorium. The Panthers improved to 17-3 all-time against the Thunder with the win, their ninth-straight in the all-time series, and also extended their current dual streak on the season to five in a row.

Milwaukee swept all 11 events. In addition to both relay teams, the Panthers got a pair of individual victories from senior Danielle Wenger and freshman Diana Diel and one win apiece from junior Heidi Niespodzany and Danielle Chapman, sophomore Maggi Beck and freshmen Erika Pliner and Emily McClellan.

"A night like this is a confidence builder," UWM head coach Kyle Clements said. "Any time you get in the pool and swim fast, it builds up some confidence. But, what we were looking for today was to really round out the puzzle that is this team. We are trying to figure out those second and third events that these kids might be able to swim at conference. That is what we got to play with today and we saw a lot of bright spots and answered some questions."

Wenger continued her winning ways, taking victories in the 200 freestyle in 1:56.93 and the 500 freestyle in 5:09.76. Diel also continues to impress, as her wins in the 50 freestyle (24.59) and 200 butterfly (2:10.41) now give the versatile newcomer victories in four different events (free/fly/back/IM) already this season.

Niespodzany had a strong swim in winning the 400 IM in 4:45.93, while classmate Chapman paced the field in the 100 freestyle in 54.43.

Beck stepped out of her normal events to win the 1000 freestyle in 10:42.17, with UWM going 1-2-3 in the race.

Pliner won the 200 backstroke in 2:12.75 and McClellan ended the night with a win in the 200 breaststroke in a season-best 2:22.70. The 400 medley relay (4:03.59) and the 200 freestyle relay (1:40.59) completed the sweep of the meet.

The Panthers are right back at it tomorrow, with a quad meet at Northwestern, taking on the host Wildcats, UIC and North Dakota starting at 1 p.m.