Wisconsin’s Pomeroy, Nelson sweep Big Ten freshman honors
October 26, 2016 | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
Kevin Pomeroy and Beata Nelson recognized for performances at NC State
MADISON, Wis. — Kevin Pomeroy's team-leading diving performance and Beata Nelson's pair of provisional NCAA qualifying times earned the Wisconsin freshmen a pair of honors from the Big Ten Conference on Wednesday.
The Badgers swept the league's rookie awards, with Nelson named Big Ten Women's Freshman of the Week and Pomeroy claiming Big Ten Men's Freshman of the Week honors.
Pomeroy's award marked the second-straight week in which the Badgers saw a newcomer honored by the conference, as swimmer Justin Temprano was named Big Ten Men's Freshman of the Week on Oct. 19.
Pomeroy led UW in both the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events in the Badgers' dual meet with NC State last weekend. He claimed a runner-up finish on the 3-meter board and finished third in the 1-meter event. A freshman from Half Moon Bay, California, Pomeroy earned NCAA zone qualifying marks on both boards with scores of 304.20 and 302.78, respectively.
Nelson was honored after scoring four top-three finishes against the Wolfpack. The Verona native finished second in the 200-yard backstroke in 1 minute, 58.38 seconds, and then carried her success into the 100-yard backstroke, placing third in 54.21. Both backstroke marks were good for NCAA championships "B" cuts.
Nelson also helped UW to a runner-up finish in the 200-yard medley relay (1:41.55), and a third-place showing in the 400-yard medley relay (3:40.75).
On the season, Nelson ranks second in the Big Ten — and No. 14 nationally — with her collegiate-best time of 54.11 in the 100 back, which she recorded in UW's dual with Minnesota. Her performance of 1:58.38 at NC State also has her ranked third in the conference — and 18th nationally — in the 200 back.
The Badgers, ranked No. 13 on the women's side and No. 17 on the men's side in the season's first national coaches poll, have a weekend free from competition before returning to the pool for a two-day dual meet at Georgia, which owns top-10 men's and women's squads, Nov. 4-5.
Players Mentioned
