Men’s Swimming & Diving Suffers Narrow Loss To Raiders

Menninga with a big win in the 50 free to lead the way

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee men's swimming & diving team suffered a narrow 132-109 defeat Sunday afternoon to Wright State at the Klotsche Natatorium.

UWM's young squad won just four events overall but showed its depth in keeping the meet close to the very end.

"Our men did well today," Milwaukee head coach Kyle Clements said. "Our young group is starting to realize how tough a full college season is and how fast the swimmers in the Horizon League are. These meets will not always be easy and we are going to learn how to swim tired. It's just a matter of time for this men's team."

Nick Menninga got the winning going for Milwaukee in the 50 free. The senior clocked in at 21.36 in the sprint event for his third win in the event on the young season. Menninga nearly made it two-for-two in the 100 free, settling for second with a time of 46.95 – a mere two-hundredths shy of the win.

Milwaukee took the top two spots in the very next event – the 200 IM. Freshman Patrick Kelley led the way with a winning time of 1:55.68, with classmate Ryan Scripp taking second in 1:58.27.

Kyle Gerum collected the Panthers' next win of the day. The junior posted a season-best time of 52.25 to top the field, with sophomore Mathew Jansen taking third in 54.33.

UWM claimed three of the top-four spots in the 500 free. Andrew Kasper led the way in 4:46.59, just edging out fellow newcomer Jacob Fase in 4:47.44 for second. Adding another name to the podium in the event was sophomore Dane Van Allen, taking fourth in 4:50.45.

The Panthers continued to show their depth in the 100 fly, taking spots 2-3-4, with sophomore Anthony Kolbus leading the way in 51.70.

Milwaukee also had a strong showing in diving Sunday. On the one-meter board, Dakota Skenandore came in second with a score of 249.97, with Draven Feustel (211.80) and Frank Hearn (210.37). Then, on three-meter, Michael Elias led the way with a second-place finish, with Skenandore third and Feustel fourth.

The Panthers return to the pool next weekend, hosting UIC Saturday at noon from the Klotsche Natatorium.

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Players Mentioned

Michael Elias: 5' 8"; Sophomore; Diving

Draven Feustel: 6' 3"; Junior; Diving

Kyle Gerum: 6' 3"; Junior; Backstroke/Free

Mathew Jansen: 5' 10"; Sophomore; Backstroke

Anthony Kolbus: 5' 8"; Sophomore; Butterfly/IM

Nick Menninga: 6' 4"; Senior; Sprints

Dane Van Allen: 6' 2"; Sophomore; Distance

Jacob Fase: 6' 4"; Freshman; Mid-Distance

Andrew Kasper: 6' 0"; Sophomore; Mid-Distance

Ryan Scripp: 6' 2"; Freshman; IM

Players Mentioned

Michael Elias
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; Diving

Draven Feustel
: 6' 3"; Junior; Diving

Kyle Gerum
: 6' 3"; Junior; Backstroke/Free

Mathew Jansen
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; Backstroke

Anthony Kolbus
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; Butterfly/IM

Nick Menninga
: 6' 4"; Senior; Sprints

Dane Van Allen
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; Distance

Jacob Fase
: 6' 4"; Freshman; Mid-Distance

Andrew Kasper
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; Mid-Distance

Ryan Scripp
: 6' 2"; Freshman; IM