Feb. 15, 2005

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Six Panthers head south this weekend to represent the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's swimming and diving team at the Midwest Invitational, Feb. 18-19, in Wheaton, Ill. This is the final meet for UWM before hosting the 2005 Horizon League Championships, Feb. 23-26, in Brown Deer, Wis.

A Look At The Midwest Invite

This year's Midwest Invitational will draw a slew of schools from around the region, including hosts Wheaton, which the Panthers defeated in dual meet action and faced at its Wheaton Invite.

Last Time Out

The Panthers swept the diving events and sophomore Lindsay Caldwell won the 50 freestyle, but it was not enough as Milwaukee fell in dual meet action, 135-106, at UW-Green Bay Feb. 5 in Green Bay, Wis. With the loss, UWM fell to 5-4 in dual meets.

Traveling Roster

Head coach Dave Clark will take a small squad of six women to this weekend's Midwest Invite. Juniors Jessica Johnson and Erin Faust and sophomore Katie Green will all be making a repeat trip to the meet and will be joined by freshmen Martha Boehm, Hannah Gottinger and Jenny Jahner.

Last Year's Midwest Invite

Jenille Junco won both the 100 and 200 backstroke events to lead the Panthers at last year's Midwest Invitational. She was subsequently named the League Swimmer of the Week following the meet. Jessica Johnson was also a winner, pacing the field in the 1650 freestyle.

Dominating Diving Duo

Divers junior Erin Blemberg and sophomore Crystal Szymanski have formed quite the formidable one-two punch for the Panthers. The duo have finished first and second five times this season, including from both the one and three-meter boards at UIC Nov. 6 and again Feb. 5 at UW-Green Bay. Each has won three events on the season, while Blemberg has eight second-place finishes and a third-place showing to her credit. Szymanski has been just as consistant, taking second three times and third six times.

Consistant Caldwell

With a win in the 50 free at UW-Green Bay Feb. 5, Lindsay Caldwell continued her successful season leading into the League Championships. With the win, she now has 15 on the season in 23 events, while never finishing lower than third. The West Bend, Wis., native has finished second six times and been third just twice.

2005 League Championships

For the second time in four years Milwaukee will play host to the Horizon League Championships at the Schroeder YMCA in Brown Deer, Wis. The last time UWM played host to the league meet was 2001, also at the Schroeder YMCA. UWM hopes history can repeat itself, as it won its only league title in 2001.

Up Next

Milwaukee hosts the 2005 Horizon League Swimming and Diving Championships, Feb. 23-26, at the Schroeder YMCA in Brown Deer, Wis.