Wolfpack await as next challenge on Badgers’ loaded schedule

MADISON, Wis. – The season doesn't slow down for the Wisconsin men and women's swimming and diving program, as the Badgers head east to take on yet another national powerhouse team in NC State.

The two-day dual meet between the Badgers and Wolfpack begins at 3 p.m. (CT) Friday and continues at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Day one of competition will commence with the 400 medley relay and close out with the 200 freestyle relay while day two will begin with the 200 medley relay and round out with the 400 freestyle relay.

The two-day format will allow for the Badgers to gain experience in some additional events to the races they've swum in duals with Auburn and Minnesota over the season's first two weeks.

Among these new events are the 1650 freestyle, 400 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay.

NC State has consistently proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the college swimming landscape, with both the men and women's team notching top-10 finishes in last year's NCAA championships.

On the men's side, NC State earned fourth-place honors at last season's national championship, tying the highest placing in the team's history. The historic finish was highlighted by 37 All-America honors, 17 broken records and a national title in the 400 freestyle relay.

The Wolfpack women earned 31 All-America honors and broke six school records en route to their ninth-place finish at last year's championships, the team's second-highest placing in program history.

Both NC State's men and women's teams were well represented in the freestyle events at last season's championships, with 13 total swimmers competing in individual freestyle races, a discipline that both the Wisconsin men and women's teams have been strong in so far this season.

The UW women's team dominated the freestyle by winning four of the five events in last week's dual with Minnesota to come out on top, 158-142, in the highly-anticipated Border Battle.

Sophomore Cierra Runge came away with her first wins as a Badger, sweeping the 200- and 500-yard freestyle. Senior Chase Kinney swept the sprint freestyle events with wins in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle on her way to Big Ten Swimmer of the Week honors.

Both Runge and Kinney garnered top-10 times nationally after their efforts against Minnesota.

Kinney's time of 22.62 seconds in the 50 free currently ranks third in the nation, while Runge ranks seventh in the 500 free (4:47.81) and sixth in the 1000 free (9:54.60).

The UW women also contributed to a 1-2 sweep in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

The women also swept the backstroke events, with freshman Beata Nelson and sophomore Jess Unicomb notching wins in the 100- and 200-yard backstroke events.

Despite falling to the Gophers 185-115, the Wisconsin men managed to sweep three of the freestyle events.

Senior Matt Hutchins was a double winner on the night, winning the 500- and 1000-yard freestyle events. Senior Brett Pinfold also garnered a victory in the 200 free.

Hutchins is fourth in the nation in the 500 free (4:26.18) and seventh in the 1000 free (9:16.28) while teammate Victor Goicoechea also cracked the top-10 list in the 1000 free, ranking 10th in the nation (9:17.86).

The UW men also picked up wins in butterfly and backstroke events with senior Harrison Tran winning the 200-yard fly while freshman Justin Temprano earned his first collegiate win in the 200-yard backstroke and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

University of Wisconsin Athletics

Wolfpack await as next challenge on Badgers’ loaded schedule

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Players Mentioned

Victor Goicoechea

Matt Hutchins

Chase Kinney

Beata Nelson

Brett Pinfold

Cierra Runge

Justin Temprano

Harrison Tran

Jess Unicomb

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