Badgers Look to Keep Strong Season Going at SMU
October 25, 2007 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Following a two-week layoff, the No. 16-ranked University of Wisconsin women's swimming and diving team returns to action this Friday and Saturday as it heads to Dallas, Texas for the SMU Classic at the Perkins Natatorium.
The Badgers will be one of six schools competing in the two-day tournament. Along with host-school SMU, the Badgers will face Florida State, Alabama, Texas AM and USC.
There should be good competition this weekend as all six teams are at least receiving votes in the inaugural College Swimming Coaches Association of America poll, which was released Oct. 24. Texas AM is the top-ranked team at No. 7, while SMU is No. 10, USC is No. 15, the Badgers are No. 16, Florida State is No. 21 and Alabama is receiving votes.
The Badgers are 3-0 on the young season and have been dominating along the way. In the team's victories over UW-Green Bay, Iowa and UW-Milwaukee, the Badgers have outscored their opponents 522-254 and have won 38 of the 42 events they've competed in.
The Badgers' winning ways have been a team effort as they've been getting contributions from several different swimmers.
Senior Jackie Vavrek (West Chicago, Ill.) led the team in their win over UW-Green Bay with three-first place finishes. Vavrek, who earned the Big Ten Swimmer of the Week award for her efforts, took first in the 50-yard freestyle, 200-yard medley relay and in the 200-yard freestyle relay. She also posted three first-place finishes in the team's win over Iowa.
Freshman diver Ciara Rinaudo (Phoenix, Ariz.) has been very impressive so far this season. She has won the Big Ten Diver of the Week award on two occasions and she set two school records in the team's meet against UW-Milwaukee. Rinaudo broke an 18-year old record on the 1-meter board with a dive of 314.93 and broke a nearly two-year old record on the three-meter board with a dive of 316.65.
Also putting together strong campaigns for the Badgers this year have been senior Hannah McClurg (San Diego, Calif.), junior Jen Illescas (East Elmhurst, N.Y.), sophomores Gabby Maddalena (The Woodlands, Texas), Sara Goff (Minnetonka, Minn.), Rosie Morahan (London, England) and Candice Peak (Andover, Mass.) and freshman Maggie Meyer (North Oaks, Minn.). All have earned multiple first-place finishes on the season.
The SMU Classic will take place on Friday and Saturday night. The starting time is 7:30 p.m. for both nights. Fans can check back to UWBadgers.com for results.
