UW women look to continue strong start against Northwestern
November 12, 2008 | Women's Swimming & Diving
The No. 23 Wisconsin women's swimming and diving team gets back in the water this Thursday, Nov. 13, to face No. 20 Northwestern after a week off from competition.
The Wildcats will be the second Big Ten opponent of the season for the Badgers, who will host their second home meet of the season, beginning at 5 p.m. in the UW Natatorium. Wisconsin seeks its 44th-consecutive dual-meet win against a conference opponent.
So far this season, the Wildcats have taken on two Big Ten Conference teams, losing to No. 7 Indiana 172.5-127.5, but taking down Purdue 177-118 and winning all but four events. Last season, Wisconsin faced Northwestern in the triangular dual, where they defeated the Wildcats, 196-173.
Though the Badgers found success against the Wildcats last season, they look to be a tough matchup this time around. Northwestern junior Kassia Shishkoff earned Big Ten Swimmer of the Week awards three weeks ago following her wins in four events against No. 7 Indiana. Also, the Wildcats are returning 11 upperclassmen that helped them to a 19th-place finish at last year's NCAA championships, the highest finish for the school since 2000.
As for Wisconsin, the Badgers are coming off a 179-120 loss to the country's top-ranked team, Arizona. The Badgers won three swimming events against Arizona, taking the top spot in the 100-yard backstroke, the 200-yard backstroke and the 100-yard butterfly. Sophomore athid=6650&deptid=194"> --> Maggie Meyer , junior athid=6046&deptid=194"> --> Candice Peak and sophomore athid=6583&deptid=194"> --> Molly Southworth took first in these events, respectively.
Wisconsin's athid=6657&deptid=194"> --> Emily Cheffins and athid=6653&deptid=194"> --> Ciara Rinaudo also placed the top two spots in both diving events, the 1-meter and the 3-meter board, with Cheffins earning Big Ten Women's Diver of the Week for her performance.
So far this season, the Badgers have two swimmers with NCAA 'B' qualifying times. Meyer has posted two B cuts in the 100-yard backstroke, first with a 54.47 at the Iowa dual Nov. 17 and then a 54.76 vs. Arizona. Freshman athid=7386&deptid=194"> --> Ashley Wanland , who holds the team's top four season times in the 100-yard breaststroke and the top two times in the 200-yard breaststroke, also swam to a 'B' qualifying time at the Arizona meet, putting up a 1:02.38 in the 100 breast.
Keep checking UWBadgers.com for updates and complete results on Wisconsin women 's swimming and diving.
