Badger women face strong field in SMU Classic
October 24, 2008 | Women's Swimming & Diving
After a successful 2-0 start to the season, the Wisconsin women's swimming and diving team steps away from dual meets this weekend to compete against a loaded field in the SMU Classic .
The Badgers are one of six programs that will compete in the two-day event at Perkins Natatorium in Dallas, Texas, and each of those six are ranked in the season's initial Collegeswimming.com Top 25 poll.
Competition begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, with Saturday's action also commencing at 7:30.
Eight swimmers, along with diver athid=6657&deptid=194"> --> Emily Cheffins , will represent the UW in Dallas. Competing for the Badgers in the pool will be athid=5593&deptid=194"> --> Jen Illescas , athid=6044&deptid=194"> --> Gabby Maddalena , athid=6650&deptid=194"> --> Maggie Meyer , athid=6045&deptid=194"> --> Rosie Morahan , athid=6046&deptid=194"> --> Candice Peak , athid=7385&deptid=194"> --> Beckie Thompson , athid=7386&deptid=194"> --> Ashley Wanland and athid=5994&deptid=194"> --> Christine Zwiegers .
The Badgers will face their strongest competition so far this season, with the field led by the host Mustangs, who are ranked No. 12 to begin the campaign. Also in the field is No. 15 North Carolina, 16th-ranked USC, No. 20 Arizona State and No. 25 Alabama.
The Badgers open the season ranked No. 23.
sportid=194&storyid=12000"> --> Last year , the Badgers took fifth place as a team and claimed top honors in three races at the SMU Classic. Maddalena won the 500 freestyle in last year 's event, while Illescas took the top spot in the 200 butterfly and Meyer was part of the Badgers' winning effort in the 200 free relay.
SMU will provide live results for both days of competition, and check back to UWBadgers.com for complete coverage of the event.
RELATED CONTENT
- id=9355"> --> 2008-09 Top Times (PDF)
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- sportid=194&storyid=15346"> --> Badgers sweep Hawkeyes in all swimming events
