MADISON, Wis. – Following its trip south last week, the Wisconsin swimming and diving team is back in Madison for its home opener this Thursday vs. Georgia. Here are five things to know as the Badgers prepare to take on the Bulldogs.
 
A GOOD PLACE TO START

The Badgers failed to earn a team win in their season-opening double dual meet at Auburn. The UW women fell to No. 15 Auburn by a score of 205-146 and to No. 14 Tennessee by a count of 204-149. On the men's side, No. 10 Auburn defeated the Badgers 256-97 and No.18 Tennessee claimed the team win with a score of 261-91.

Team results aside, UW head coach Whitney Hite saw the meet as a positive starting point for the season.

"I'm not too concerned with the score, he said. "The way we set up our program is we want to get better each time out. Work on a couple of things that we worked on following the last meet and implement them.The goal is to get better each time, and make sure our best times come in February and March."
 
NOT GETTING ANY EASIER

After taking on two ranked teams last weekend, the Badgers will be up against arguably an even tougher test this Thursday vs. Georgia.

"Georgia is one of the best teams in the country," Hite said. "Auburn and Tennessee are both very good, but Georgia is arguably better."

Georgia has been one of the country's premier program "for a generation," Hite said. "This is a big test for us, and an opportunity to see how we measure up against the best teams in the country."
 
BEATA HAS THE TIMES TO BEAT

Sophomore Beata Nelson shined in the Badgers' opening meet.

On Friday, she won the 200-yard individual medley and 200-yard backstroke. Nelson's finish of 1 minute, 59.24 seconds in the 200 IM was good for the 10th-fastest time in school history, and she finished the 200 back in 1:55.51, a full 3.31 seconds faster than the second-place finisher.

On Saturday, Nelson capped off her stellar showing with a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly. She also took part in a win with the 200-yard medley relay squad and a runner-up finish as part of the 400 free relay squad.

"Beata has done a great job," Hite said. "What a difference a year makes. She learned from a rough freshman year and got better. I would imagine that she'll continue to get better and better, and will make everyone realize how great of a swimmer she is."
 
STRONG SHOWINGS IN BADGER DEBUTS
A number of athletes made their Wisconsin debuts last weekend in Auburn, with some Badgers making strong showings.

North Dakota transfer Tyler Zelen made his UW debut, finishing fifth in the men's 50 free (20.64) and taking part in the  200 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay squads that both finished third.

"Has the God-given talent of quickness," Hite said of Zelen. "We're very excited to have a sprinter like him on the team. We're excited for him to continue to get better and climb the mountain."

Freshman Matt Novinski also impressed. He placed third in the 100 backstroke and swam with the third-place 200 medley relay squad.

"Matt has been the most impressive freshman that I've seen in a while," Hite said. "He comes in, he works hard — and it seems the better he gets the harder he works. He's hungry and he wants it."
 
A PROGRAM TO BE RECKONED WITH

Hite, who began his coaching career at Georgia, called Thursday's meet a special one for his program, which has become one of the nation's best, year-in and year-out. As with last year's home meet vs. Auburn, Hite sees the competition with Georgia as proof of that growth.

"Being able to draw really elite programs to our pool is big for us," he said. "It's a very exciting time for Wisconsin swimming and diving."