By Riley Pixler, UWEC Sports Information
ROCHESTER, Minn. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire concluded the Rochester Invitational on Sunday, finishing the three day invitational with strong performances. The Blugolds competed over the weekend against nine other universities from across the Midwest.
The women's team featured strong performances in every event, sending many to the final heats.
Rachel Treadway (Sr.-Cottage Grove, MN/East Ridge) placed 10th in the women's 1650-yard freestyle, coming in at 18:17.08, beating 28 other swimmers.
Samantha Senczyszyn (Fr.-Grafton, WI) had another great day, finishing 9th in the 100-yard freestyle with a time if 51.31, the fastest time in her heat. She also dominated the 200-yard breaststroke yet again, winning with a time of 2:14.84, 10 seconds faster than the next competitor.
The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Allie Hable (Sr.-Ankeny, IA), Ellie Hostetler (Sr.-St. Paul, MN/Convent of the Visitation), Maddie Gray (Sr.-Roseville, MN) and Senczyszyn finished 7th, with a time of 3:36.30, faster than 20 other teams.
The men's team performed very well, swimming stronger and finishing higher on Sunday than the other two days.
Nick Stern (Sr.-Waverly, IA/Waverly-Shell Rock) finished 8th in the 1650-yard freestyle, with a time of 17:22.79, with teammates Ryan Wedl (So.-Oconomowoc, WI/Kettle Moraine) and Jack Marchiafava (Fr.-Mounds View, MN/Irondale) coming in at 9th and 10th, finishing at 17:43.64 and 18:07.00 respectively.
Andrew Strauch (Fr.-Lakeville, MN/North) placed 6th in the men's 200-yard IM, coming in at a time of 2:00.82.
Thomas Hensen (Jr.-Delafield, WI/Kettle Moraine) finished 9th in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 1:57.25, topping his heat.
Dayton Miller (So.-Rochester, MN/Schaeffer Academy) placed 4th in the 200-yard breaststroke, finishing at 2:12.26.
The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Ben Fisher (Roselle, IL/Lake Park), Noah Gannon (Sr.-Plymouth, MN/Wayzata), Hensen, and Miller finished with a time of 3:15.62, placing 9th.
The Blugold Men's and Women's swim and dive end 2015 at the Rochester invitational and start after winter break in Stevens Point January 22nd at the Stevens Point Invitational.
