Clifton clutch for Big Ten at USA College Challenge

Sunday, November 13

Indianapolis, IN

10:30 AM

Wisconsin Badgers

USA College Challenge

Photo by: David Stluka

Clifton clutch for Big Ten at USA College Challenge

November 13, 2016 | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving

Results

Badgers close out competition in inaugural all-star event

MADISON, Wis. – The Badgers wrapped up the inaugural USA College Challenge the same way they started, notching some of the top times in the country all while competing against the top talent in the nation.

Wisconsin had six entries in the all-star event pitting the best of the Big Ten Conference against a squad comprised of members of the USA Swimming national team, a two-day dual meet that concluded Sunday in Indianapolis.

Perhaps the most thrilling race of the day came last, with Cannon Clifton helping lift the Big Ten team to its first relay win of the meet in the men's 400 freestyle relay.

Team USA was in the driver's seat through two legs and look poised to help complete a sweep of the relay events, but Clifton closed the gap on Team USA's Michael Andrew with a strong effort on the third leg and gave the Big Ten the lead in his final 50 yards.

Clifton's relay mate, Shane Ryan of Penn State, closed the door on Team USA, posting a blistering anchor split of 41.72 to give the Big Ten the win in 2:50.81.

Hutchins also saw action in the men's 400 free relay, placing fifth in 2:59.67 as a member of the Big Ten 'C' team.

After attaining the top time in the college swimming landscape in the men's 500-yard freestyle on Saturday, Wisconsin's Matt Hutchins was at it again Sunday, this time notching the nation's fifth-fastest time in the 1000 freestyle in 9 minutes, 2.62 seconds.

The senior ultimately finished fifth amongst the stacked field, placing third for the Big Ten behind Northwestern's Jordan Wilimovsky (8:46.34) and Michigan's P.J. Ransford (8:55.40), who went 2-3 in the event.

Freestylers Cierra Runge and Brett Pinfold also climbed the national rankings in the 200 freestyle as their efforts helped them garner season-best times.

In the women's race, Runge grabbed the No. 11 time in the country by swimming to a seventh-place finish in 1:46.96. On the men's side, Pinfold boasts the 13th-fastest time after touching the wall in 1:36.73 to finish sixth.

Pinfold wasn't done yet, as the senior also placed sixth in the men's 200 individual medley in 1:48.45, which is slotted at the 19th position in the national rankings.

UW teammates Chase Kinney and Beata Nelson went head-to-head in the women's 50 free, with Kinney touching the wall in 22.74 to place sixth while Nelson, who made her collegiate debut in the event, finished eighth in 24.11.

Kinney was also active in the women's 400 free relay, helping the Big Ten to runner-up honors in 3:13.29.

Team USA ultimately came away with the win, holding a 349-247 advantage over the Big Ten.

The Wisconsin divers will be at the forefront of attention next week as they participate in the three-day Missouri Diving Invitational. The competition is set to begin on Thursday, Nov. 17, and closes out on Saturday, Nov. 19.