Badgers brilliant to begin Big Ten championships

Wednesday, February 27

Iowa City, IA

6:30 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

Big Ten Championships

Photo by: Big Ten Photo

Badgers brilliant to begin Big Ten championships

February 27, 2019 | Men's Swimming & Diving

MJ Mao bags UW record in the 200 breaststroke, clocking in at 1:52.40

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Sophomore MJ Mao snagged UW's fastest-ever 200-yard breaststroke time Wednesday as the Wisconsin men's swimming and diving team competed on the opening day of the Big Ten championships.

"That was a really cool moment," head coach Yuri Suguiyama said. "It definitely electrified our team to see him do that."

Competing in a time trial, Mao touched in 1 minute, 52.40 seconds to claim the school record and an automatic qualifying spot for next month's NCAA championships.

"It's been awesome, watching MJ progress this year and gain more confidence," Suguiyama said. "Not only is MJ a talented swimmer, but he's just become more and more consistent in his training. It was really neat to see that pay off tonight."

But Mao wasn't the only Badger to set the record books ablaze.

The 800 freestyle relay squad of Cameron Tysoe, Griffin Back, Niko Stines and Kevin Braun finished fourth in 6:22.86, a season-best time and the 10th-fastest mark in UW history.

"It was great to see Kevin get his hand on the wall to touch fourth," Suguiyama said.

In the 200 medley relay, Justin Temprano, Mao, Erik Gessner and Tyler Zelen grouped up to garner the squad's fastest mark this season, finishing seventh in 1:26.23.

Sitting at fifth place in team standings, with 96 points, Wisconsin will look to continue its impressive racing in Thursday's individual events, which include the 500 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle and 1-meter diving.

"I'm really happy with how the first day went," Suguiyama said. "There is a lot of swimming left, and every swim is going to count.

"All we can do is be the best version of ourselves."