MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee women's swimming and diving team jumped into the 2017-18 season winning nine of 13 events against D-II competitor Grand Valley State this Saturday at the Klotsche Natatorium.
 
The Panthers opened with a win, taking first place in the 200-yard medley relay. Veterans Sara Bentley, Jenn Kordik, Cecilia Ostergren and Arica Smith combined for a winning time of 1:45.48 – defeating their opponent by three seconds.
 
UWM's Annabelle Ladik opened her freshman campaign with a win in the 200-yard freestyle with a winning time of 1:57.07, while fellow teammate Emma Helgeson finished third with a time of 1:57.60.
 
It didn't take long for Milwaukee's next win, coming in the 50-yard free – the next women's event. The Panther's placed three in order at the podium as Shelby Rozeboom took first with a time of 24.07, Kordik at 24.98 and Larsen finished at 25.00, respectively.
 
Cassidy Pilo had a solid diving performance for the Panthers placing first in the 1-meter with a final score of 243.92 while Laker Mikayla Karasek took second scoring 214.42. Pilo also finished second in the 3-meter with a score of 237.29 behind Laker Mikayla Karasek at 244.50.
 
Panther Arica Smith began her senior season strong, winning the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 52.85. Shelby Rozeboom finished right behind Smith at 53.37.
 
UWM finished it's last four events on a high note sweeping the 200-yard backstroke, 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke, and 200-yard freestyle relay. Bently touched the wall at 2:03.62 in the 200 backstroke - a full three seconds ahead GVS of second place finisher, Caroline Brereton at 2:06.72.
 
In the 200-yard breaststroke, UWM took the top three spots with Natalie O'Connell leading the way with a finish of 2:23.73 and right behind her were Kordik (2:26.12) and Adrienne DiFoggio (2:26.38).
 
The Panthers' relay teams exceled having also won the 200-yard freestyle as well. UWM took the event with a final time of 1:36.21 while GVS finished second at 1:38.22.
 
UWM is back in action for the annual All Wisconsin Showcase next Saturday at the Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center in Brown Deer, Wis. The meet is set to begin at 1 p.m.
 
WOMEN'S TEAM SCORE: MILWAUKEE 142, GRAND VALLEY STATE 101
TOP FINISHERS IN EACH EVENT

200-Yard Medley Relay: UWM (Sara Bentley, Jenn Kordik, Cecilia Ostergren, Arica Smith), 1^st place, 1:45.48
1000-Yard Freestyle: Alena Bodnaruk, 2^nd place, 10:46.60
200-Yard Freestyle: Annabelle Ladik, 1^st place, 1:58.07
50-Yard Freestyle: Shelby Rozeboom, 1^st place, 24.07
400-Yard IM: Addison Skogman, 2^nd place, 4:35.72
200-Yard Butterfly: Margaret Burns, 3^rd place, 2:12.18
100-Yard Freestyle: Arica Smith, 1^st place, 52.85
200-Yard Backstroke: Sara Bentley, 1^st place, 2:03.62
500-Yard Freestyle: Addison Skogman, 1^st place, 5:09.96
200-Yard Breststroke: Natalie O'Connell, 1^st place, 2:23.73
200-Yard Freestyle Relay: UWM (Arica Smith, Sara Bentley, Emma Helgeson, Shelby Rozeboom) 1^st place, 1:36.21
1-Meter Diving: Cassidy Pilo, 1^st place, 243.82
3-Meter Diving: Cassidy Pilo, 2^nd place, 237.29