Press Release courtesy of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota swimming and diving will embark on their greatest test of the season so far in their first home meet of the year hosting Michigan, Wisconsin and Penn State. The Big Ten matchup inside the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center will take place on Friday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. Daily admission will be $5.
THE MATCHUPS
Women | No. 17 Minnesota (2-0, 1-0 BIG) vs. No. 18 Wisconsin (0-2, 0-0 BIG), No. 3 Michigan (2-0, 0-0 BIG) and Penn State (0-3, 0-0 BIG)
Men | RV Minnesota (0-2, 0-1 BIG) vs. RV Wisconsin (0-2, 0-0 BIG), No. 7 Michigan (2-0, 0-0 BIG) and RV Penn State (1-2, 0-0 BIG)
SENIOR NIGHT
Friday night the Gophers will honor six seniors for their accomplishments in the pool over the years. Conner McHugh, Jan Hansen, Rae Bullinger, Beth Etterman, Danielle Nack and Brooke Zeiger will all be honored in a pre-meet ceremony Fridaynight beginning at 5:45 p.m.
PACK THE POOL
Friday, Nov. 3 will serve as the Gopher’s annual “Pack the Pool” Night. Fans will have the chance to purchase Maroon and Gold gear, receive a Minnesota Swimming and Diving Poster and take part in a post meet autograph session. Olympic gold medalist David Plummer and other Gopher alumni as well as current swimmers and divers will be in the lobby following the meet for an autograph session.
GOPHERS REACHING NCAA “B” STANDARDS
Minnesota saw a combined nine NCAA “B” qualifying standard times between six swimmers.
Women
Lindsey Kozelsky — 100 breaststroke (1:02.49)
Danielle Nack — 100 butterfly (54.24) and 200 fly (1:59.56)
Tevyn Waddell — 100 back (53.90) and 200 back (1:58.55)
Men
Bowen Becker — 50 free (20.15)
Conner McHugh — 100 breast (54.74) and 200 breast (1:57.13)
Brian Poon — 200 breast (1:59.26)
STARTING OUT FRESH
Freshman Mackenzie Padington has made her mark early on in her Minnesota career. The Campbell River, B.C., Canada native has competed in five individual events over the past two meets and posted four first place finishes. She is also making her mark in the record books, slipping into All-time top 25 times in the 100 free (50.38, 25th), 200 free (1:46.85, 13th), 500 free (4:46.77, 18th), 1000 free (9:53.22, 15th).
GOPHERS MAKING STRIDES
As a program, Minnesota set 35 new personal records last weekend at Iowa. The men set 25, while the women posted 15. 26 of those personal records were set by the Gophers freshman and sophomore swimmers and divers.
NATIONAL SCORING
Both Golden Gopher squads currently rank among the top 25 scoring teams in the nation. The women sit 21st in the nation with 749.85 team points, while the men rank 34th with 725.85.
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Senior captain Conner McHugh has led the Gophers scoring a team best 32 points including four first place finishes in six events this year. McHugh’s 200 breast time of 1:57.13 currently ranks as the second best time in the nation.
LAST TIME OUT
Women | No. 17 Minnesota continues to dominate in the water, coming off a 190-109 win over Iowa on the road. The Gophers captured a first place finish in all 16 events. The Gophers have not lost a dual meet to Iowa in over a decade.
Men | Minnesota dropped their second straight dual meet, losing to Iowa 162-13. The young squad continues to show potential with strong showings from underclassmen.
