Badgers hit the water Friday to open season
October 09, 2008 | Women's Swimming & Diving
The Wisconsin women's swimming team kicks off its season Friday with a home dual against UW-Milwaukee. The meet marks the first of four home meets at the UW Natatorium, with action beginning at 5 p.m.
The Badger women finished last season with an 8-1 overall season record, going 4-0 in the Big Ten with a sixth place finish at the 2008 Big Ten Championships in Columbus, Ohio, and a 22nd place finish at the NCAA championships. They look to continue their success in 2008-09 with the addition of eight freshmen to the roster and the retention of several U.S. Olympic Trials qualifiers.
In the freestyle events, Wisconsin's biggest loss is Jackie Vavrek, an Olympic Trials qualifier and school record holder in the 50-yard freestyle. Returning to the team to take Vavrek's place in the sprints are sophomore athid=6650&deptid=194"> --> Maggie Meyer , who posted the season's best time in the 100 freestyle last year, sophomore Kelsey Gergen, junior athid=6045&deptid=194"> --> Rosie Morahan and senior athid=5994&deptid=194"> --> Christine Zwiegers . Freshman athid=7385&deptid=194"> --> Beckie Thompson also looks to be a key contributor in the freestyle sprints this season.
Senior athid=5593&deptid=194"> --> Jen Illescas and junior athid=6044&deptid=194"> --> Gabby Maddalena will continue to dominate the distance and middle-distance freestyle races, but also look for contributions from freshman athid=7387&deptid=194"> --> Kelly Winckler .
Even with the loss of Katie Imhoff-Smith in the butterfly, the Badgers should have a strong season with seniors Zwiegers and Illescas, who swam the 200 butterfly in the 2008 NCAA Championships. Freshmen Thompson and athid=7389&deptid=194"> --> Jessica Kapke will also contribute to the Badgers' success in these events.
Freshmen athid=7386&deptid=194"> --> Ashley Wanland and athid=7391&deptid=194"> --> Megan Onstott , who were both Olympic Trials qualifiers this year, will make a push to lead Wisconsin in the breaststroke events in 2008-09, even though the Badgers do welcome back the top two swimmers in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke from 2007-08. The strong potential in this year's freshmen, in addition to returning athid=6035&deptid=194"> --> Libby Brooks and Morahan, will also prove crucial in improving Wisconsin's chances in the medley relay.
athid=6046&deptid=194"> --> Candice Peak and Brooks are likely to be the main contributors in the 200 and 400 individual medleys, along with Morahan. The three combined to make up last season's top times lists for the Badgers.
Wisconsin expects to improve greatly in their 200-yard medley relay teams this season and are hoping to break onto the national scene in the event. Powerful additions in the freestyle swimmers in addition to strong upperclassmen will keep the freestyle relays in the upper ranks of the competitive arena.
In diving, Wisconsin does not bring any new talent in from freshmen, but the success of the young team will continue into the 2008-09 campaign. Junior athid=6657&deptid=194"> --> Emily Cheffins and sophomore athid=6653&deptid=194"> --> Ciara Rinaudo will be the key players in the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events, with contributions expected from junior athid=6041&deptid=194"> --> Jenny Hawkins and sophomore athid=6658&deptid=194"> --> Jamie Hood .
After facing UW-Milwaukee, Wisconsin will have a dual meet against Iowa, the annual SMU Classic in Dallas, Texas, and will then compete against defending NCAA champion Arizona.
The Badgers host Big Ten conference powerhouse Northwestern at home, followed by the Texas Invitational to close out the calendar year.
Come January, Wisconsin travels to Hawaii for winter training and dual against the University of Hawaii, before returning home to face St. Olaf and Green Bay at the Natatorium. The Badgers will then shift into championship season at the Big Ten Quad Duals, Big Ten championships and the NCAA championships in March.
Follow UWBadgers.com for women's swimming stats, meet recaps and features throughout the season.
