Panthers Sit In First After Day One Of Bill Ritter InvitationalJan. 20, 2006
MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's swimming & diving team used victories from senior Erin Blemberg, junior Lindsay Caldwell and freshman Molly Finn to jump out to a lead after day one of the Bill Ritter Invitational on Friday night at the Klotsche Center. The Panthers stand in first place with 385 points, leading UW-Green Bay (305.5), Illinois State (289) and UIC (245.5) after the first night of the event. "It was a great day for the Panthers," head coach Dave Clark said. "Winning five events on the women's side is a great way to start. The diving events went very well for us again today and we look to carry this momentum into tomorrow." Blemberg completed the sweep of the diving events for the second-straight meet, leading the way for UWM. The Panthers dominated again, taking first trough third place in both the one- and three-meter events. Blemberg topped the one-meter action with 254.65 points, narrowly edging out junior Emily Duesler (254.35 points) for the win. Junior teammate Crystal Szymanski took third with 242.55 points. Blemberg then took first on the three-meter board with a score of 264.10. Duesler again placed second (257.55) with sophomore Jenna Kotlarz third (247.65). "What more could you ask for?" UWM diving coach Todd Hill said in regards to the 1-2-3 finish. "We proved today that we are one of the top teams in the Horizon League." Caldwell extended her win streak on the season to 22-straight races overall with a victory in the 50 free, touching the wall in 24.16. That also gives her a 9-for-9 showing in the 50 free as well.
Finn claimed a win in the 200 IM in a time of 2:09.79, with junior Heather Sawatzki taking fifth in a time of 2:14.23. The 500 freestyle produced a pool record, as UW-GB's Molly Cox won in a time of 5:06.06, breaking the old mark of 5:06.90 set in 2003. The top finisher for the Panthers in the event was Emily Holcomb (third - 5:15.52) In the relays, UWM took second in the 200 free (1:38.91) and then touched-out Green Bay for a win in the 400 medley relay. Senior Julie Olson, Caldwell, Finn and sophomore Jess Kelly finished in 3:57.74 to top GB's time of 3:58.03. The Bill Ritter Invitational concludes Saturday with two sessions at the Pavilion Natatorium. The morning session starts at 9:30 a.m. and the afternoon one at 3:30 p.m. |
