MADISON, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Emma Peterson (Sr. - Superior, WI), Ej Kruse (Fr. - Appleton, WI/Kimberly), Taylor Nelson (Sr. - Wisconsin Rapids, WI/Assumption), and Sydney McGuine (Fr. - Huntley, IL) have been named Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Kwik Trip Athletes of the Week, as was announced by Assistant Commissioner of Media Relations Matt Stanek.
Peterson had two goals and one assist in the Blugolds' two-game series sweep against Northland College (Wis.). On Feb. 17, she scored the opening goal just 23 seconds into the game for a 1-0 lead. She also scored the lone power play goal and had an assist in a 5-0 victory at Hobbs Ice Arena on Feb. 19. Peterson currently leads the team in on ice +/- with a +7 through four games played.
In a dual meet against UW-River Falls on Feb. 20, Kruse won the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.41 seconds, which ranks eighth in NCAA Division III and second in the WIAC. He also placed second in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.00 seconds, which ranks No. 27 nationally and seventh in the WIAC.
Nelson returned to play after sitting out the past two years due to injury and helped carry UW-Eau Claire to a 2-0 start, beating Nebraska Wesleyan University 11-3 and 14-2 on Feb. 20. Her two-out double in game one plated the first Blugold run of the season and her triple in the fourth would cap a nine-run fourth inning to secure the run-rule win. She picked up where she left off in game two, recording her second RBI double to put the Blugolds on the board and spark a seven-run second inning. In her first two games back, Nelson was a perfect 4-for-4, with one single, two doubles, a triple, and 4 RBI and drew a walk.
McGuine won both the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 24.88 seconds and the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:14.39. She was also a member of the winning 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:40.93. All three swims are currently the top times in the conference.
