Halversons Close Out Career On Top At League Championships

Tim, Nic finish 1-2 in final individual event

Rochester, Mich. – Twin brothers Tim Halverson and Nic Halverson finished first and second in the same event for a memorable moment for the Milwaukee men's swimming and diving team to close out the 2016 Horizon League Championships Saturday at the Oakland University Aquatic Center.

Milwaukee finished the four-day meet with 382.5 points for fifth place overall and just behind UIC (399) for fourth. Host Oakland won the meet with 840 points, with Cleveland State (597.5) and Wright State (585) the closest behind. Green Bay (366) and Valparaiso (153) rounded out this year's scoring.

"Unfortunately, we had DQ in the 800 free relay on the first night and that got us in a little bit of a funk that we just couldn't quite get out of the rest of the meet," Milwaukee head coach Kyle Clements said. "The team showed its fight and you saw some depth and a lot of different people scoring points. We're a very talented team with different people in different events, and that showed throughout the week.

"We graduate a talented group of seniors, but we have people on our league roster and our Midwest roster – not to mention our incoming recruits – that will continue to help this program grow."

The Halverson twins led the off the night with a memorable race in the mile. Tim (15:43.03) was able to just edge out Nic (15:46.47) down the stretch for the league title with the two brothers taking first and second for Milwaukee in the 1650 free.

"It means a lot," Tim said of being able to finish his career 1-2 with his brother. "Throughout high school we were always 1-2, and we finished our high school season 1-2 in the 500, as well. It means a lot. He's a great training partner. He's been swimming longer than I have, so it was nice to be with him until the end."

UWM wasn't done there. Freshman Zach Kishpaugh finished fifth overall despite not swimming in the evening's fast heat of the timed final, clocking in with a season-best time of 16:00.79. Max Gatzke – last year's league champ in the mile – finished ninth overall in 16:08.12.

Freshman Jacob Barson continued his impressive showing against the best in the league, taking seventh in the 200 breast with a finals time of 2:02.60.

In the 200 butterfly, Ryan Menninga won the consolation final with an impressive time of 1:50.54, breaking his own freshman record. Yevgeniy Foster came in 14^th in 1:53.55 and Anthony Kolbus was 16^th in 1:54.82 as Milwaukee showed its depth in the event.

Nick Menninga led the way for UWM in the 100 free. The junior touched the wall in 45.52 for 10^th place overall on the day.

In the final event of the night, the Panthers turned in yet another strong showing all the way to the end. T. Halverson, Tanner Nimke, Erik Wahlgren and N. Menninga combined to take third in the 400 free relay with a season-best time of 3:02.51.

Freshman of the Year – Devon Nowicki, Oakland
Diver of the Meet – Stirling Fordham, Oakland
Swimmer of the Meet – Philipp Sikatzki, Cleveland State
Swimming & Diving Athlete of the Year – Philipp Sikatzki, Cleveland State
Diving Coach of the Year – Larry Albright, Oakland
Swimming Coach of the Year – Paul Graham, Cleveland State

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Players Mentioned

Yevgeniy Foster: 5' 9"; Junior; Butterfly/IM

Max Gatzke: 5' 9"; Senior; Distance

Nic Halverson: 5' 11"; Senior; Distance

Tim Halverson: 5' 11"; Senior; Distance

Nick Menninga: 6' 4"; Junior; Sprints

Tanner Nimke: 6' 0"; Senior; Sprints

Erik Wahlgren: 6' 2"; Senior; Sprints/Fly

Jacob Barson: 6' 4"; Freshman; Breaststroke

Zach Kishpaugh: 6' 0"; Freshman; Distance/IM

Ryan Menninga: 6' 2"; Freshman; Butterfly

Players Mentioned

Yevgeniy Foster
: 5' 9"; Junior; Butterfly/IM

Max Gatzke
: 5' 9"; Senior; Distance

Nic Halverson
: 5' 11"; Senior; Distance

Tim Halverson
: 5' 11"; Senior; Distance

Nick Menninga
: 6' 4"; Junior; Sprints

Tanner Nimke
: 6' 0"; Senior; Sprints

Erik Wahlgren
: 6' 2"; Senior; Sprints/Fly

Jacob Barson
: 6' 4"; Freshman; Breaststroke

Zach Kishpaugh
: 6' 0"; Freshman; Distance/IM

Ryan Menninga
: 6' 2"; Freshman; Butterfly