Wisconsin's swimming team is looking at the end of their regular season this weekend. Both the men and women's units, though, have nothing but momentum after stellar performances last weekend.
The No. 10 ranked Wisconsin men (3-1 Big Ten, 9-2 overall) suffered their first conference defeat of the year in Minneapolis, Minn., but have proven themselves capable of competing with anyone in the nation. Aside from the recent loss to No. 7 Minnesota, the only other squad to best the Badgers was No. 1 Auburn.
The trip to Minneapolis was not without its positives as UW topped Purdue and claimed several noteworthy performances.
\It wasn't one of our best meets overall as a team, but for us to come in not having a race for two, three weeks or so ... it was pretty good to beat Purdue and compete against Minnesota,"" junior Matt Marshall said.
Senior Brian Neuman took first place in the 400 meter individual medley, while Marshall claimed the top spot in the 100 meter fly. The 200 and 400 meter relays finished in second place due to contributions from junior Dale Rogers, Marshall and sophomore Adam Mania.
The female swimmers have managed to do even better than their male counterparts. Last week saw Wisconsin (5-0 Big Ten, 10-1 overall) sweep Big Ten rivals Minnesota, Illinois and Purdue.
""We all did pretty well,"" sophomore Carly Piper said. ""I don't know how to explain it. Some people stepped up more than others, but as a whole we totally got each other motivated.""
The Badgers, who continued their season-long trend of dominant performances, claimed four first place finishes. Piper and fellow sophomore Jenny Lyman won their respective freestyle contests and were joined in the victors' circle by junior Emily Pisula, winner of an individual medley. Senior Sarah McCauley's win in the 200 meter backstroke rounds out the first place finishes for UW.
""There were some good points and some bad points, but for the most part I think we're making progress for where we want to be in two weeks and three weeks,"" Head Coach Eric Hansen said.
The Wisconsin swimming team will offer fans one last chance to see them at home as they end their regular season this Friday at 5 p.m. in the Natatorium. In-state rivals UW-Milwaukee and UW-Green Bay will provide the last obstacle for the Badgers as they prepare for the Big Ten championships in over three weeks.
""I wouldn't think there'd be a problem with this weekend,"" Marshall said.
The Big Ten championships are being held in Ann Arbor, Mich., and the Badgers will not be able to afford any slip in their performance. The women will face strong resistance in their bid for the Big Ten title from Penn State, Indiana and Michigan, all of whom are rated in the Top 20. The men, on the other hand, face a possible rematch with Minnesota as well as the task of surmounting top-rated Michigan.
""[The NCAA Tournament] is our primary goal and I guess the Big Ten is secondary,"" Hansen said.
Being a team whose national championship aspirations are in no way unrealistic, Wisconsin should have all the confidence and motivation needed to give the rest of the conference a stiff challenge.
