UW Dives Into Season This Friday
October 05, 2006 | Men's Swimming & Diving
The University of Wisconsin men's and women's swimming and diving teams open the 2006-07 season at 5 p.m. Friday when they welcome in-state rival UW-Green Bay to the UW Natatorium.
Eighth-year head coach Eric Hansen is excited to see what his team can do in its first meet.
'We've been preparing our team all off-season, and most kids have put in a harder summer than even the college season will be,' said Hansen. 'I think everyone is really anxious to get out there and race.'
At this same event last season, the Badger men defeated the Phoenix 152.5-89.5, while the Wisconsin women won by a score of 198-44.
The UW men's squad returns its entire scoring team from last year. The men are led by senior Tom Molzahn, who will try and bring this young team that includes 19 freshmen and sophomores back to the NCAA championships.
The women return a plethora of talent and are led by senior captain Susan Johnson. She will be an integral member of the 200-yard medley relay team that set a Big Ten record of 1:38.89 at the conference championships last season.
UW-Green Bay returns plenty of talent, too, including Horizon League Freshman of the Year Danielle DeGrand. In last season's Horizon League championships, the UWGB women held off Wright State to earn a 33-point victory and their second consecutive league title.
Friday's meet will be UW-Green Bay's first true competition of the season. Last week, the Phoenix held an intrasquad scrimmage at home.
