Wisconsin Badgers Building Momentum Off Notre Dame Invitational
Wisconsin Badgers Building Momentum Off Notre Dame Invitational
The Wisconsin Badgers are building momentum going into the Big Ten Championships and NCAA Championships after a strong showing at the Notre Dame Invitational.
The Wisconsin Badgers men's and women's swimming teams have been hard to pin this season. While there are many bright spots and impressive individual swims dotting the Badgers' seasons, consistency has been a factor. This weekend, however, Wisconsin came into the timed-final Notre Dame Shamrock Invitational and put up a solid team effort on both the men's and women's sides.
Wisconsin senior Cannon Clifton is rising to become one of the premier sprinters in the Big Ten Conference. His times this weekend of 43.05 in the 100-yard free, 47.51 in the 100 fly, and 19.97 in the 50 free show some major scoring potential during championship season.
Senior Matt Hutchins, a previous conference champion in the 500 free, took home a victory in the same event with a 4:24.07, while holding off his junior teammate Victor Goicoechea, who touched the wall in 4:25.06. Hutchins' time was a bit slower than his 4:21 from the USC dual meet a few weeks ago, but look for some fast times from him at Big Tens on Feb. 22-25 in Columbus, Ohio.
Brett Pinfold, a senior, tallied two more wins for the Badgers, winning the 200 IM in dominant fashion with a 1:46.52 and the 200 free in 1:36.51. Not to mention, his anchor on the 400 medley relay was an ever-impressive 42.38.
The Badgers men have a strong group of freestylers, and they will undoubtedly turn some heads at conference and NCAAs, but the lack of sprint breaststrokers and sprint backstrokers will be hard to overcome. Look for swimmers such as junior Todd McCarthy, freshman Mike Milinovich, senior Harrison Tran, senior Ryan Barsanti, and freshman Cooper Hodge to step up in the other events.
Wisconsin senior Chase Kinney has won almost every 50 freestyle she has raced this season. Showing strong consistency, she has always touched between 22.2 and 22.4. Her relay splits have been very powerful as well, usually splitting 21.6-21.8. She also won the 100 free, touching in 49.10, just ahead of teammate Emmy Sehmann's 49.77.
United States Olympian and freshman Cierra Runge has been tearing up the Badgers' record board this season in the mid-distance and distance freestyle events but was taken down by her teammate Danielle Valley in the 500 free by a 4:44.67 to 4:48.40 margin. Runge's rested best time of 4:35 this season should make for a very possible conference title, but Valley, a senior, could definitely pose a threat after a super-charged in-season 4:44.
Beata Nelson, the National Public High School record-holder in the 100 fly, put together some great swims over the weekend as well. A first-place 200 IM in 1:59.96 showed strong versatility, and her 1:55.59 in the 200 back showed great stamina, splitting 27.32, 29.22, 29.68, and 29.37. Nelson also won both the 100 fly and 100 back, both in low 54s. She has yet to match her best times in the 100 fly and 100 back this season, but as a freshman it seems she has taken huge strides in her endurance for the mid-distance events.
Similar to the men's side, the Badgers seem to be missing a true sprint breaststroker. Senior Maria Carlson has had a lot of success in the 200, but it hasn't bled over into the shorter events. While this Wisconsin team is fierce, it will need the help of a few more to fill some holes in the roster. Look for Marissa Berg, Jess Unicomb, Dana Grindall, Abby Jagdfeld, and Maddi Tew to step up and shine in some huge swims at Big Tens.
By Adam Mania
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Badgers men finish runner-up
The Wisconsin men's team tallied eight wins in its second-place team finish on Saturday. The Badgers' 1,007 points trailed meet host Notre Dame, which earned 1,192.5. Grand Canyon (721) and Missouri State (514.5) placed third and fourth, respectively.Wisconsin senior Cannon Clifton is rising to become one of the premier sprinters in the Big Ten Conference. His times this weekend of 43.05 in the 100-yard free, 47.51 in the 100 fly, and 19.97 in the 50 free show some major scoring potential during championship season.
Senior Matt Hutchins, a previous conference champion in the 500 free, took home a victory in the same event with a 4:24.07, while holding off his junior teammate Victor Goicoechea, who touched the wall in 4:25.06. Hutchins' time was a bit slower than his 4:21 from the USC dual meet a few weeks ago, but look for some fast times from him at Big Tens on Feb. 22-25 in Columbus, Ohio.
Brett Pinfold, a senior, tallied two more wins for the Badgers, winning the 200 IM in dominant fashion with a 1:46.52 and the 200 free in 1:36.51. Not to mention, his anchor on the 400 medley relay was an ever-impressive 42.38.
The Badgers men have a strong group of freestylers, and they will undoubtedly turn some heads at conference and NCAAs, but the lack of sprint breaststrokers and sprint backstrokers will be hard to overcome. Look for swimmers such as junior Todd McCarthy, freshman Mike Milinovich, senior Harrison Tran, senior Ryan Barsanti, and freshman Cooper Hodge to step up in the other events.
UW women capture invite title
The Badgers women's team also capped off the weekend with several strong performances as Wisconsin fine-tunes for Big Tens. Winning all but five events over the three-day meet, the Badgers took home the invitational crown with 1,194.5 points, followed by Notre Dame (1,053), Grand Canyon (596), Nebraska (510.5) and Clemson (107), which only has a diving program.Wisconsin senior Chase Kinney has won almost every 50 freestyle she has raced this season. Showing strong consistency, she has always touched between 22.2 and 22.4. Her relay splits have been very powerful as well, usually splitting 21.6-21.8. She also won the 100 free, touching in 49.10, just ahead of teammate Emmy Sehmann's 49.77.
United States Olympian and freshman Cierra Runge has been tearing up the Badgers' record board this season in the mid-distance and distance freestyle events but was taken down by her teammate Danielle Valley in the 500 free by a 4:44.67 to 4:48.40 margin. Runge's rested best time of 4:35 this season should make for a very possible conference title, but Valley, a senior, could definitely pose a threat after a super-charged in-season 4:44.
Beata Nelson, the National Public High School record-holder in the 100 fly, put together some great swims over the weekend as well. A first-place 200 IM in 1:59.96 showed strong versatility, and her 1:55.59 in the 200 back showed great stamina, splitting 27.32, 29.22, 29.68, and 29.37. Nelson also won both the 100 fly and 100 back, both in low 54s. She has yet to match her best times in the 100 fly and 100 back this season, but as a freshman it seems she has taken huge strides in her endurance for the mid-distance events.
Similar to the men's side, the Badgers seem to be missing a true sprint breaststroker. Senior Maria Carlson has had a lot of success in the 200, but it hasn't bled over into the shorter events. While this Wisconsin team is fierce, it will need the help of a few more to fill some holes in the roster. Look for Marissa Berg, Jess Unicomb, Dana Grindall, Abby Jagdfeld, and Maddi Tew to step up and shine in some huge swims at Big Tens.
Up next
The Wisconsin men's and women's teams close the regular season by hosting Green Bay on Friday, February 3, at 5 PM at UW Natatorium in Madison, WI.By Adam Mania
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