MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee swimming & diving teams sent out their graduating seniors with an impressive performance, topping Green Bay on both sides in addition to honoring 17 outgoing members of the roster on "Senior Day".
 
The victories came in two styles. The MKE women dominated from start to finish, claiming wins in 13 of 14 individual races and both relays to run away with a 219-73 victory to mark a third consecutive dual meet decision over the Phoenix.
 
The men's side was a different story, with the Panthers earning eight individual wins on the afternoon but waiting until the final event – the 800 freestyle relay – to claim the win. The meet decision was going to go to the winner of he final event, and Milwaukee took home the victory by over three seconds to record a 153-141 decision over GB.
 
"Definitely a successful senior day meet," head coach Kyle Clements said. "Obviously, being senior day we said goodbye and had our last home meet for 17 senior swimmers. Finishing on a good note and a win for them is always big. The meet itself, it was a big difference between this week and two weeks ago when we swam against Chicago. We are starting to round into postseason form here. We are starting to look fresher and stronger in our races."
 
The women were led by two victories apiece from Julie Rebek on the diving boards, as well as Antoni Haupt and Erika Thomas.
 
Rebek recorded a pair of NCAA zone-qualifying scores in the process, winning the 1-meter with a score of 290.18, followed by the 3-meter at 301.50.
 
Haupt continued her strong distance efforts, grabbing first place in the 500 (5:12.85) and 1,000 freestyle (10:40.98) events. Thomas keeps on winning as well, leading the way in the 200 freestyle (1:53.60) and 400 IM (4:34.59).
 
"We had contributions from everyone on the women's side," Clements said. "Seniors, Ricky, Julie in diving, Antoni won her events. We had a lot of great swims, but my favorite one was Natalie Sepic – one of my seniors – won the 200 fly so that was my favorite race on the women's side."
 
Natalie Sepic rose to the occasion, winning the 200 butterfly by the slimmest of margins when she touched the wall in 2:11.42, barely edging out Bella Passamani and her time of 2:11.48 (.06 faster).
 
The men had a pair of double-champions, seeing Jack Garcia lead the way in both the 500 (4:47.43) and 1,000 free (9:46.65) as well. Jay Jensen added victories in the 200 freestyle (1:41.92) and the 400 IM (4:07.55).
 
Leading just 140-137 with just the 800 freestyle relay remaining, the Panthers took care of business with Zach McClellan, Garcia, Andrew Innerebner, and Jackson Ahrens finishing in 7:00.28, comfortably ahead of the Phoenix's 7:04.03 to earn the meet victory.
 
"The men's side was wire to wire," Clements said. "Big swims out of Jay Jensen, Jack Garcia – he was on two individual wins and the winning relay. The meet came down to the very last relay and our 800 A team won a close one and won us the meet. Big story were the seniors. And approaching our championship meet here at the end, things are starting to fall into place and we are starting to see all of our hard work pay off."
 
Makaila Scheiblein put together a strong outing, winning the 200 breaststroke in a time of 2:22.67 while placing second in the 100 breast, touched-out by 0.24 with her showing of 1:07.13.
 
Other individual champions for MKE included Skylar Ruggles (59.63 in the 100 back), Nhia Caras (24.21 in the 50 free), Kelen McDaniels (53.25 in the 100 free), Mara Freeman (2:06.71 in the 200 back), and Molly Meland (58.88 in the 100 butterfly).
 
On the men's side, Jared Kleczka added another NCAA zone score while winning 3-meter, recording a score of 358.43. McClellan claimed the 200 butterfly in 1:55.23, Ben Lorenz the 50 freestyle in 21.03, and Jackson Ahrens the 100 freestyle in a time of 47.19.
 
The 100 fly was particularly impressive for Milwaukee women, taking home the top five spots. In addition to Meland, Bri Zablocki (2nd/59.31), Sepic (3rd/59.92), Brianna Homontowski (4th/1:00.17), and Sasha Gesner (5th/1:02.30) led the blitz.
 
Runner-up finishes for MKE included Giulia Guerra-Montes in the 400 IM (4:39.33), Allie Buytendorp in the 500 free (5:19.86), Ruggles in the 200 back (2:08.63). Lucy Borlase in the 200 breast (2:28.53), McDaniels in the 50 free (24.35), Riley Melendy in the 100 back (1:00.27), as well as Freeman in the 200 free (1:59.17).
 
Other highlights for the men's side included Vince Chiapetta finishing runner-up in the 1,000 free in a time of 10:03.46, Nik Wheeler second in the 100 butterfly in 51.46, Jacob Weber second in the 200 butterfly in 1:57.72, and Adam St. John placing second on 1-mter with a zone score of 315.53.
 
Milwaukee honored the following seniors today.
Women: Brianna Homontowski, Angela Kordik, Kelen McDaniels, Molly Meland, Riley Melendy, Paige Murphy, McKenzie Sanchez, Amber Secrist, Natalie Sepic, and Bri Zablocki.
Men: Jack Garcia, Ben Huynh, Jared Kleczka, Jonathan Kollen, Carson Niemiec, Mason Schoof, and Jacob Weber.
 
Up next, the Panthers close out the regular season with a busy weekend, hitting the road to battle St. Thomas Feb. 3 and Stevens Point Feb. 4. The meet against the Tommies is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.