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Oct. 28, 2002
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's and women's swimming and diving teams will look to make a mark in the win column this weekend when they host Wheaton in a dual meet Friday at the Klotsche Center. The Panthers and Thunder are scheduled to get underway at 5:30 p.m.
Looking Back
The Panthers started their season nearly a month ago with the Notre Dame Relays on Oct. 4, with the women finishing third out of six teams and the men finishing second out of four. The Panthers then had a break before making two trips to Evanston, Ill., this weekend, first for a three-way dual meet with Northwestern and Toledo on Friday, and then for the Northwestern Relays on Sunday afternoon. Both teams lost to Northwestern and Toledo on Friday evening before the women finished third out of five teams at the Relays on Sunday. The men's team finished fourth at the Relays, just a point behind Louisville for third place.
The Series
Women - The Panthers lead the all-time series, 8-3, including six straight since UWM moved to Division I in 1990. The home team has won the last five matchups, including Wheaton's five-point victory last year in Illinois.
Men - Milwaukee leads the all-time series, 11-1, with the Panthers winning the first 11 matches since 1990. Wheaton won last year by a 119-117 margin.
Who To Watch
For the men, junior Josh Basheart and sophomore Jason Procto should make the biggest waves in 2002-03, while senior Amanda Chan and juniors Kristin Cefalu and Sarah Walby could make the biggest impact on the women's side. Baseheart became the school's first provisional NCAA qualifier last year after setting a league and school record in the 100 freestyle. Procto shattered the school, UWM freshman and Klotsche Center Pool marks on his way to being named league Newcomer of the Year. Chan struggled a year ago, but looks to regain the form she had in 2000-01, when she was named the league's Outstanding Swimmer after setting a league record in the 200 breaststroke. Cefalu is the reigning league champion in the 200 breaststroke after going undefeated in the event a year ago, and Walby finished third in the 1650 freestyle last year, setting a team season-best time in the process.
A Pair of Streakers
An impressive streak of victories came to an end Friday evening at Northwestern. Entering the dual meet, Milwaukee had claimed victory in the 200 breaststroke at 15 consecutive meets, including the Horizon League Championships in 2001 and 2002. Northwestern's Brielle Bovee won Friday evening with a time of 2:22.63. Amanda Chan was the top UWM finisher in the event, placing fourth in 2:26.94. Chan took the first four victories in the streak, while Kristin Cefalu grabbed 10 last season. The other victory in the event was taken by former Panther Erin Pollyea against Butler last January.
Sharing the Records
Amanda Chan and Kristin Cefalu have had a stranglehold on the school's record book when it comes to the 200 breaststroke. Chan holds the school and league marks in the event, setting both at the 2001 league championships, while Cefalu holds the UWM Freshman and Klotsche Center Pool marks in the event.
Diving On In
The women's team boasts one of the most experienced groups of divers in the Midwest, with five quality divers on board in 2002-03. The group is led by senior co-captain Krystina Herzog, the school record holder in 1m diving, and fellow senior Erin Hallen. A pair of juniors, Hannah Burgard and Becky Rubel, will also factor into the scoring, while freshman Erin Blemberg is the newest diver on the women's side.
It's a Family Affair
This year's edition of the UWM men's and women's swimming and diving teams have a distinct family flavor to them. Two sets of siblings grace the current roster, as senior Beth Watt is joined by her freshman brother, Tim, and junior David Faust welcomes his sister, Erin, a freshman, to the squad. Siblings on the Panther roster haven't been rare, as Claire and Leslie Brock and Andrew and Daniel Babcock were the last siblings to swim together, in 1999-2000. But, having a brother-sister pairing has been a far less common occurrence. The last set of brother-sister teammates was Mike and Tammie Burmeister in the 1992-93 season. The 1988-89 season saw three sibling teammates, with sisters Karen and Lisa Ragland teaming with their brother John.
Home Is Where The School Is
This year's team also features a pair of student-athletes who were primarily home-schooled throughout high school. Johannan Raatz and Patricia Frank, who could both make their debuts this weekend at Notre Dame, are both home-school students. Though home-schooled, Frank did compete for Milwaukee Washington last year, and, despite competing on the boy's team, was named City Conference Most Valuable Swimmer last year, winning two events.
A Distinct Local Flavor
Of the 23 swimmers on the men's roster, 17 make their home in the state of Wisconsin, while 24 of the 30 swimmers on the roster are from within Wisconsin's borders. Of the 11 student-athletes from outside the state, seven are from Minnesota, and two are from Illinois. Danielle Bradley is from Fishers, Ind., while Jason Procto has the longest trip to the UWM campus from Cambridge, England.
Excelling In The Classroom
The UWM swimming and diving teams also excel in the classroom in addition to the pool. The women's team was named Academic All-American by the collegiate Swim Coaches of America after the spring semester, making Spring 2002 the 27th- consecutive semester the team has been named to the list. The men's team, meanwhile, was named to the list in the spring of 2002 for their second-straight semester.
More Academic Honors
Sarah Caldwell was the recipient of the Athletic Director's Award at last spring's Scholar-Athlete Awards reception. The Athletic Director's Award is given to the student-athlete with the highest grade point average among all athletic teams. In addition, Josh Baseheart earned Academic All-America honors by having attained the minimum grade point average and reaching a NCAA provisional qualifying mark. Baseheart is the first swimmer in UWM history to earn Academic All-America honors. Also, nine swimmers were named to the Academic All-League team after last season. The nine were departed Panthers Leslie Brock, Kelly Goetsch, Adam Hanson and Erin McCauley, seniors Peter Clark, Rachel Smith and Beth Watt, and juniors Josh Basheart and Sarah Caldwell.
Up Next
Milwaukee has a pair of dual-meet events next weekend. Saturday, the Panthers travel to UIC for a meet with the Flames, Evansville and Northern Iowa's women's program. Sunday, the Panthers will host Western Kentucky at the Klotsche Center Sunday at noon.
