Wisconsin Women Finish Strong During Day One at Iowa
October 23, 2004 | Women's Swimming & Diving
The Wisconsin women's swimming and diving team opened the first day of competition at Iowa with strong performances. After capturing first place in eight out of nine events, the Badgers lead the Hawkeyes 120-41.
'We swam really well today,' head coach Eric Hansen said. 'I'm particularly happy with how the young swimmers competed in their first Big Ten meet. We are all very excited about the potential that this team has."
Olympic Gold Medalist Carly Piper (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.) finished first in the 1000 yard freestyle (9:59.54) as well as the 200 yard freestyle (1:50.37). Piper finished the meet by helping to win the 400 freestyle relay (3:28.70) along with Anna Trinidad (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Sarah Hernandez (Chico, Calif.), and Jackie Vavrek (W. Chicago, Ill.) .
Susan Johnson (Toldeo, Ohio) took first in the 100 yard backstroke (56.74), while teammate Amalia Sarnecki (Ann Arbor, Mich.) posted a win in the 100 yard breaststroke (1:04.85). Wisconsin also claimed victories from Sarah Hernandez in the 50 yard freestyle (23.77) and Anna Trinidad in the 200 yard IM (202.46).
The Badgers also took a first place finish from the 200 medley relay squad of Susan Johnson, Amalia Sarnecki, Jenny Gelden (Kenosha, Wis.), and Sarah Hernandez with a winning time of 1:45.18.
Last week's Big Ten Diver of the Week Amanda Witte (LaGrange, Ill.) finished today's event with NCAA Zone qualifying scores, taking 2nd on the 1-meter board (271.35) 3rd on the 3-meter board (287.32). Teammate Cassie Kubly (Middleton, Wis.) placed 4th on the 3-meter board at 229.65.
'Amanda [Witte] had a really good meet with very strong board work,' head diving coach Josh Seykora said. 'I'm happy to see that she is starting the season right where she left off last year.'
Wisconsin will continue its competition at the two-day coed meet on Saturday at 10 a.m in Iowa City, Iowa.
