MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee men's and women's swimming and diving team opens up the new year with a home dual against St. Norbert on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 2:30 p.m. from the Klotsche Natatorium.
SCOUTING THE GREEN KNIGHTS
The newly reinstated St. Norbert's women's swimming and diving team has begun the season breaking school records. The Green Knights (1-2) have taken down three school records (1,000 free, 100 fly, and 100 breast) and two pool records (1,000 free and 200 breast).
The St. Norbert women's program first started in 2000 and competed through the 2008-09 school year. After its 10-year hiatus, the Green Knights returned to the pool for the 2018-19 season with the addition of the men's team.
Though the St. Norbert men's team is a new program, the Green Knights are undefeated in duals this season, 3-0, over Macalester College, St. Mary's University, and Lawrence University. The SNC men have shattered 10 school records and six pool records already this year.
This will be the two team's first meeting in program history.
LAST TIME OUT
Milwaukee dominated the pool at the Wheaton Invitational. On the men's side, senior
Patrick Kelley highlighted day one of competition after breaking the meet and pool record in the 200 fly in a personal record time (1:48.74). On day two, senior
Bailey Bodart and junior
Ryan Hakes took the top two spots in the 50 free, clocking in at 20.72 and 21.19 respectively. The Panthers won the meet out of seven teams with 959 points.
The MKE women dominated the meet from the very beginning after winning eight of nine events on the first day, including two event wins from freshman
Bri Zablocki in the 200 IM and 200 fly. Zablocki swam career bests and added her name to the Panther all-time top-10 list in both events. On day two, freshman
Molly Meland highlighted the day with two event wins in both the 100 fly and 100 back. Meland also added her name to the Panther all-time top-10 list and is only 0.36 seconds shy of the 100 fly school record. The Panthers won the meet with 1,139 points.
SWEET 16
The Panther women kept their home streak alive after holding off league foe Cleveland State in the home opener earlier this season. The Panthers won 10 events to outscore the Vikings 165.5-132.5. The win extended the home winning streak to 16 after not losing at home since 2014. Milwaukee hopes to continue their streak after the home dual against St. Norbert on Saturday.
LEAGUE TOP FIVE
Five Panthers swam to the league's top five times this fall. Freshman
Molly Meland has the fourth-fastest time in the 100 back (56.62) and the fifth-fastest 100 fly time (55.60) while classmate
McKenzie Sanchez claims the third-best score on both the one-meter (284.18) and three-meter (282.83) events.
On the men's side, senior
Patrick Kelley has the second-fastest time in the league in the 200 fly (1:48.74), which is only 0.34 seconds from the top spot. Classmate
Zach Hammond grabbed the fifth-fastest time in the 200 breast (2:03.59) while freshman
Jared Kleczka has the fifth-best score on the one-meter (293.18).
ON DECK
After Saturday's home meet, the Panthers prepare for the annual dual against the University of Chicago on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 1 p.m. in Chicago, Ill.
