MANKATO, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's swimming and diving team kicked off the 2018-19 season with a dual at NCAA Division II Minnesota State-Makato, falling to the Mavericks 182-116.
The 200-yard medley relay team of Jessica Short (Sr. – Grafton, WI) , Sam Senczyszyn (Sr. – Grafton, WI), Emma Steffel (Fr. – Green Bay, WI/Ashwaubenon) and Brittany Farr (Sr. – Madison, WI/James Madison Memorial) took second with a time of 1:54.19 while the 200-yard relay team of Short, Farr, Emily Ries (So. – Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) and Senczyszyn was also second with a time of 1:41.90.
Ries also finished second in the 50-yard breaststroke (32.85) while Steffel was second in the 100-yard fly 1:05.51 and the 50-yard fly (29.08). Senczyszyn also recorded a second place finish with a time of 25.01 in the 50-yard free.
The Blugolds tallied six other runner-up finishes:
1000-yard Free - Anna Theisen (Jr. - Glenbeulah, WI/Plymouth (11:22.95)
200-yard Free - Rachael Streit (So. – Lakeville, MN/South) (2:04.34)
1-meter Dive - Sarah Dahlk (Fr. – Verona, WI/Middleton) (187.55)
100-yard Free - Katherine O'Connell (Fr. – Green Bay, WI/Ashwaubenon) (57.54)
100-yard Backstroke - Jessica Wilson (So. – Brookfield, WI/Wauwatosa West) (1:03.76)
100-yard Breaststroke - Camille Madsen (Sr. – Andover, MN) (1:12.58)
"Tonight was our first meet against a very tough Mankato team," said Head Coach Annie Ryder. "I thought our team swam extremely well for only being in the water a few weeks. Our freshman swam and dove really well and stepped up tonight to make a big impact on the team. Our dual meet season is all about learning to race and working the process. Racing against a strong Division II team challenges us to be better and sharpens our racing and diving skills to compete in the WIAC. We had several tough swims and we are looking forward to hosting UW-Oshkosh on tomorrow."
The Blugolds will host the Titans at 1 PM at the McPhee Center.
