Men's Swimming & Diving January 25, 2017

Panthers Close Out Dual Season At Green Bay

Women’s team looking to cap season with perfect record

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee swimming & diving teams will close out their dual meet season this Saturday with a 1 pm meet against in-state rival Green Bay from Dorschel Natatorium. This will be the second time the two teams have seen each other this season, with both teams on hand at the All-Wisconsin Showcase back in mid-October.

The Milwaukee women head into the meet with a perfect 5-0 record in dual meets this season, looking for their first undefeated campaign in program history. The Panther men achieved the same feat just a few years back when they went 10-0 in 2011-12.

While this is the final action of the regular season for the swimmers, UWM's divers will be in action one more time before postseason action.

League Notice
With two weeks left in the regular season, Milwaukee has certainly made its presence known with some of the top performances in the Horizon League this season, with the league office taking note. Seven Panthers have already earned athlete of the week awards a total of 12 times. Here is the complete list so far this season:

Oct. 18 – Dakota Skenandore
Oct. 25 – Sara Bentley, Jacob Fase
Nov. 8 – Carley Thomas
Nov. 15 – Sara Bentley, Cassidy Pilo, Dakota Skenandore
Dec. 6 – Cassidy Pilo
Jan. 17 – Nick Menninga, Dakota Skenandore, Mandie Siehs
Jan. 24 – Sara Bentley

Record-Breaking Performances
While the fastest times are still yet to come, the Panthers have already taken down a few names from the record board this season. So far, Mandie Siehs topped the 100 freestyle record in 50.02, and Sara Bentley, Shelby Rozeboom, Arica Smith and Siehs combined to set a new top time in the 200 free relay at 1:32.40.

Not only that, a pair of Klotsche Natatorium records were also broken this year. Bentley turned in an impressive 100 backstroke time of 56.22 in the home meet against UIC to reset that standard, while the 400 free relay squad of Smith, Emma Helgeson, Danielle Kudis and Siehs topped the pool record at 3:30.66 in the home finale.

History Of Success
Milwaukee just missed another Horizon League Championship last February at the league meet, taking second on the women's side for the third-straight year.

In all, UWM has won seven Horizon League titles in swimming & diving in program history. Milwaukee has been crowned league champs on the men's side four times (1999-2000, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12) and three times on the women's side (2000-2001, 2011-12, 2012-13).

Additionally, the Panthers have claimed an outstanding 17 team trophies (first or second) at the league meet since the move to Division I in 1990, with 13 of those trophies coming in the last eight years.

Back For More
Milwaukee had loads of success during last season and a majority of the team returns for the 2016-17 campaign.

In fact, Milwaukee broke eight school records a year ago, with six of those record breakers back for more this season. Jacob Barson (100 & 200 breast), Sara Bentley (100 back), Mandie Siehs (50 & 100 free) and Addison Skogman (400 IM) all return in pursuit of more top times this season.

A Look Back At Last Year
The 2015-16 season was another one for the record books for Milwaukee. Both teams capped the season with outstanding finishes at the Horizon League Championships, bringing home a runner-up trophy on the women's side. That marks the eighth-straight year the Milwaukee women have brought home a league trophy and the 13^th overall in the last eight years – the amount of time head coach Kyle Clements has been on the coaching staff with the Black & Gold.

Individually, the Panthers broke another eight school records last season and an additional six freshman records. Quite a few of those records were broken at the league meet, where Milwaukee won five league titles.

Up Next
The Milwaukee diving team will head to the annual UIC Diving Invitational Feb. 4, hosted at the same location as this year's league championships.

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Players Mentioned

Jacob Barson: 6' 4"; Sophomore; Breaststroke

Nick Menninga: 6' 4"; Senior; Sprints

Sara Bentley: 5' 5"; Junior; Backstroke

Emma Helgeson: 5' 9"; Sophomore; Mid-Distance/Free

Danielle Kudis: 5' 7"; Sophomore; Mid-Distance/Free

Cassidy Pilo: 5' 4"; Sophomore; Diving

Shelby Rozeboom: 5' 5"; Sophomore; Sprints

Mandie Siehs: 5' 9"; Senior; Middle Distance

Addison Skogman: 5' 11"; Sophomore; Distance/IM

Arica Smith: 5' 8"; Junior; Sprints

Players Mentioned

Jacob Barson
: 6' 4"; Sophomore; Breaststroke

Nick Menninga
: 6' 4"; Senior; Sprints

Sara Bentley
: 5' 5"; Junior; Backstroke

Emma Helgeson
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; Mid-Distance/Free

Danielle Kudis
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; Mid-Distance/Free

Cassidy Pilo
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; Diving

Shelby Rozeboom
: 5' 5"; Sophomore; Sprints

Mandie Siehs
: 5' 9"; Senior; Middle Distance

Addison Skogman
: 5' 11"; Sophomore; Distance/IM

Arica Smith
: 5' 8"; Junior; Sprints