Nov. 9, 2012

Results

Stevens Point, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee men's and women's swimming and diving teams are poised to continue the defense of their titles at the Stevens Point Border Battle after a strong showing in the first day of action Friday evening.

Milwaukee won eight of the day's 10 events and just missed season-best times in a handful of events despite being in the pool for the sixth-straight weekend.

Sierra Townsend, Becky Yokosh, Anna Yontz and Diana Diel kicked things off for the Panthers, winning the 200 freestyle relay in the day's opening event with a time of 1:38.49, a full second in front of second place.

Freshmen Nic Halverson and Tim Halverson finished 1-2 in the 500 freestyle. Nic took first at 4:46.57 with Tim right behind at 4:48.04. Senior Mike Brady (4:48.80) took third in the event and sophomore Kenny Stelpflug (4:49.46) was fourth.

UWM swept the rest of the events on the day as junior Emily McClellan won the women's 200 individual medley, touching the wall first at 2:07.19, nearly six seconds in front of the next swimmer. Senior Sam Niesen won the event on the men's side at 1:58.50 with freshman J.J. Melville (2:00.39) right behind in second.

Senior Nathan Welchlin nearly posted a season best in the 50 free with a winning time of 20.97, while Townsend won the women's swim at 24.74.

Milwaukee closed out the day by sweeping the 400 medley relays. Yokosh, McClellan, Diel and Townsend recorded a time of 3:56.30 on the women's side to easily take the top spot. Meanwhile, Niesen, Melville, Welchlin and Brady combined to win on the men's side with a time of 3:31.13.

The Panthers are right back at it Saturday morning as the second session is set to start at 10 a.m. with the third and final session scheduled for 4 p.m.