INDIANAPOLIS, Ind – The Milwaukee women's swimming and diving team opened its season with a victory on Saturday, defeating IUPUI 155-144 inside the Jaguar Natatorium.
 
In her collegiate debut, freshman Nhia Caras earned a pair of individual victories for the Panthers. Caras placed first in the 50 freestyle with a time of 23.87 and recorded a first-place finish in the 100 free, clocking in at 52.98.
 
"Things went well today," head coach Kyle Clements said. "Really happy with the performances we got out of both genders and from a lot of different classes. The women were very consistent and very deep throughout the entire meet. Not only did we get some event champions, but even in the events we lost, we were going second, third, and fourth behind it which really paid dividends in the end in what came out to be a really close meet."
 
Junior Makaila Scheiblein also picked up a couple individual victories, claiming the top spot in the both the 100 breaststroke (1:08.24) and 200 breaststroke (2:25.79).
 
Two more Panthers earned individual victories, with junior Bella Passmani winning the 200 butterfly (2:10.39) and sophomore Molly Meland taking home top honors in the 100 fly (58.80).
 
The 400 freestyle relay team of sophomore Kelen McDaniels, junior Cassandra Hutchins, Passamani and Caras finished first with a time of 3:32.74.
 
Several Milwaukee swimmers finished runner-up throughout the meet, showcasing the depth of the team. Antoni Haupt placed second in both the 1000 free and 500 free, while freshman Jenna Fistler finished runner-up in the 200 free. Sophomores Angela Kordik and Brianna Homontowski were runner-ups in the 100 breaststroke and 200 fly, respectively.
 
The diving efforts for the Panthers featured a pair of runner-up finishes in the 1-meter by freshman Julie Rebek and the 3-meter by McKenzie Sanchez.
 
"Great to see it coming from lots of different people and lots of different events in this one," Clements said. "It was fun to get out on the road with the group and it feels like a normal season. We were very happy with the results today and we're looking forward to next week."
 
The team will compete against UIC next Saturday in the Panthers home opener. The dual will start at 12 p.m. inside the Klotsche Natatorium. Milwaukee leads the all-time series 25-7 over the Flames.