Wisconsin Badgers
University of Minnesota
November 03, 2026 | Women's Swimming & Diving
A border battle between No. 12 Badgers and No. 22 Gophers
MADISON, Wis. — The No. 12 Wisconsin women's swimming and diving team is set to host No. 22 Minnesota at Soderholm Family Aquatic Center on Friday, Nov. 6 at 5 p.m.
Before the Badgers hit the water, here are five things to know:
1. Last time out
Wisconsin hosted Notre Dame on Saturday, Oct. 17 in a dual at home. The team defeated the Fighting Irish 202 to 95.
2. New personal bests
Along with notching a win over Notre Dame, the Badgers also recorded a slew of new personal bests at the meet.
While Ainsley Stephan officially made her Wisconsin debut in the 200 medley relay, she swam a time of 1:58.32 in the 200 butterfly for a new personal best.
Sophomore Lily Van Heel earned a new personal best in the 100 backstroke with a time of 52.37 to place second in the event. This improves upon her previous personal best in the event of 52.59 recorded at the Big Ten Championships on Feb. 20, 2026.
From the 3-meter springboard, Vivian Kinnard, Zara Karimi and Maggie Lapina all set new personal bests in their six dive sequences. In the event, Zarimi earned first place (306.38), Kinnard second (291.00) and Lapina fifth (219.83).
Though not a personal best, Maggie Wanezek set a new pool record in the 100 backstroke with a time of 50.30 and a first-place finish.
3. In the rankings
Up from No. 14, the Wisconsin women's swim and dive team now ranks No. 12 in the October CSCAA Division I top 25 national rankings, released by the organization on Thursday.
The Gophers rank No. 22, rising two spots from No. 24. See all Division I top 25 national rankings here.
4. Fresh faces
In addition to key returners like Maddie Waggoner, Hailey Tierney, Wanezek and Kinnard—amongst many others—the team also welcomes a fresh slate of faces with the new freshman class.
Hailing from Wisconsin, Annika Curran (Verona), Caroline Wanezek (Elm Grove) and Lindsey Schlegel (Muskego) represent their state at the flagship university of Wisconsin. Wanezek completes the trio of sisters, with older sisters Maggie and now-alum Abby also competing for the Badgers.
International students Maeva Soldermann (Village-Neuf, France) and Taryn Weatherhead (British Columbia, Canada) have made their debuts in collegiate swimming with the team.
In the diving well, Maggie Lapina (Pittsburgh) competes alongside a triad of seniors—Kinnard, Julia Herring and Ryane Neal—and sophomore Karimi.
Ellie Kayser (Phoenix) joins the team from out west in Arizona, competing in the freestyle.
From the eastern coast, Stephan (Ellicott, Maryland), Lilla Wilbur (Fairfax Station, Virginia) and Vivian Moulson (Andover, Massachusetts) round out the new additions to the Wisconsin women's swimming and diving team.
5. Looking ahead
Ramping up mid-season competition, the Wisconsin swimming team will travel to the Texas Invitational in Austin, Texas from Nov. 18 to Nov. 20. The divers will also make the trip to Texas, competing at the Southern Methodist University Invitational in Dallas, Texas from Nov. 19 to Nov. 21.
View the full season schedule here.
