Oct. 12, 2012

Results

Madison, Wis. - Sophomore K.J. Heger recorded a pair of NCAA Zone scores and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's swimming & diving team recorded four victories on the day in their 2012-13 season opener at Wisconsin.

Coming off their third-consecutive Horizon League Championship, the Panthers swam well in their first meet of the season in a 176-120 loss to the Badgers.

"Overall we had a solid night," Milwaukee head coach Kyle Clements said. "This was the first step toward getting this team ready for another strong season. We had a lot of great efforts from our freshmen in their first meets and it was nice to finally see them in action."

Heger led the way for Milwaukee in the season opener. The sophomore won the three-meter with an NCAA Zone score of 329.70 to edge out UW's Hunter Atha by just over two full points. Sophomore Lee Anderson took fourth on the night with a score of 289.28 and classmate Andy LaFleur was fifth at 238.73.

Heger also won the one-meter board with a score of 300.90, again an NCAA Zone score and again just overtaking Atha, this time by less than one point.

Senior Nathan Welchlin won the 50 freestyle with a time of 20.85, nearly a full second in front of the next finisher.

In the final event of the night, Welchlin teamed up with fellow seniors Mike Brady, David Dvorak and Sam Niesen to win the 200 freestyle relay, touching the wall first in 1:24.44.

In the 1650 free, freshman Nic Halverson took second in his first-ever collegiate swim. The newcomer posted a time of 16:23.28. Twin brother Tim Halverson (16:38.22) came in fifth in the event and last year's Horizon League Men's Newcomer of the Year Kenny Stelpflug (16:39.12) was sixth.

In other action, Brady came in second in both the 200 free (1:44.10) and 100 free (46.92). Freshman J.J. Melville was second in the 200 breaststoke with a time of 2:14.39 and classmate Joey Chokran (2:15.36) was right behind for third.

Sophomore Ryan Finke also posted a second-place showing at the meet, finishing runner-up in the 100 butterfly with a time of 53.72.

The Panthers return to action again next Friday, heading to Allendale, Mich. for a dual meet with Grand Valley State University set for 4 p.m.