Feb. 1, 2014

Results

MILWAUKEE - Mike Lucchesi, Kenny Stelpflug, Nic Halverson and Tim Halverson teamed up to post a pool record in the 800 freestyle relay to cap an outstanding day in the pool for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's swimming & diving team, knocking off Green Bay, 145-96, on senior day Saturday afternoon at the Klotsche Natatorium.

The result is extra impressive, as UWM is swimming for the second time in less than 24 hours, having competed against a talented Northwestern team just one night earlier.

"I was happy with the men," Milwaukee head coach Kyle Clements said. "We talked about this yesterday that there were points of emphasis that we were looking for today, and that was carrying yesterday's speed into today and the guys did that. The ones that swam the same event swam even faster. It was just a good meet. Green Bay is a good team. They have some real talent on that side so, to be able to put them up through 13 events and get some wins is huge."

With the meet already in hand, Milwaukee's 800 free relay team posted the fastest time in the Klotsche pool in nearly over a decade, winning the event with an impressive time of 6:54.95. That time is a full three seconds faster than the previous pool best, set back in 2004 by four former Panther standouts.

Milwaukee dominated the action today, taking the top-two spots in seven of the day's events.

The Panthers actually took the top-three spots in the 1000 freestyle early in the meet. Stelpflug led the way with a time of 9:47.16, with seniors Chris Jenkyns (9:55.34) and Jeff Maxwell (9:57.75) just behind in second and third.

Milwaukee also went 1-2-3 in the 100 backstroke. Jenkyns topped the field this time, touching the wall at 52.90. Maxwell was right behind at 54.03 for second and newcomer John Kangas was third at 54.19.

In the 200 free, T. Halverson came in first with an impressive time of 1:43.85. Ryan Finke was right behind in second at 1:44.84

Mike Lucchesi won the 100 butterfly in 50.55 with freshman Max Ward coming in second at 51.48.

Milwaukee continued its dominating season on the diving boards Saturday, taking the top-two spots in both events.

K.J. Heger won the three-meter with a score of 338.02, with Andres Villa in second at 310.27, a season best. Heger also won the one-meter competition at 346.35 and Villa again placed second at 292.72, also a season-best score.

"Diving going 1-2 was huge. That really started the separation. Green Bay was up after the 50 free so, going into diving, our divers knew what they needed to do and they really did it."

Nick Menninga notched the first win of his collegiate career Saturday, touching the wall first in the 100 free at 47.24 to edge out the rest of the field.

N. Halverson just beat out Green Bay's Willem Poelmans in a thrilling 500 freestyle race, finishing with a season-best time of 4:39.81 for the win. He also posted an impressive time of 1:53.51 in the 200 IM, taking second overall.

"Everyone was really fast today, which was great to see. You start to see these times build up through this month. We have one more meet to go and then it's time for the final product here in about three weeks. It's going to be an exciting week, swimming against Madison and then we get to start preparing for the Horizon League Championships."

The Panthers return to the pool next Friday, taking on Wisconsin in the season finale. The action is set to get underway at 3 p.m. from the Klotsche Natatorium.