Badgers dive back in to face Minnesota
October 30, 2009 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 30, 2009
MADISON, Wis. -- After a week off from competition, the Wisconsin men’s swimming and diving team rejoins the Badger women for a Big Ten Conference dual meet against Minnesota Friday at the UW Natatorium.
The Badgers will look to even their conference record after falling to Iowa in their last outing two weeks, while also seeking some revenge for Minnesota’s win in the teams’ meeting last season.
Minnesota (0-0, 0-0) vs. Wisconsin (1-1, 0-1)
Date: Friday, Oct. 30
Time: 3 p.m. (diving); 5 p.m. (swimming)
Location: Madison, Wis.
Site: UW Natatorium
Admission: Free
Online: Complete results
Last season, the Badges fell to Minnesota in Minneapolis at the Big Ten Tri Duals, with a score of 237-116. Graduate Mike Hopkins helped the Badgers by taking first in the 200-yard backstroke, while Scott Rice won the 200 IM.
This season, however, the Badgers will look to young talent to strengthen the squad. That includes freshman Sam Rowan, who won the 200-yard breaststroke against Iowa with a time of 2:07.95.
Wisconsin newcomer and junior Chuck Allison also is one to watch for, as he has been a key component in UW’s successful 400 free and 200 medley relays so far this season.
Allison also swept the butterfly events in UW’s meet with Iowa, claiming the 100 fly in 50.13 and the 200 fly in 1:51.53, both season-best times. Allison has grabbed first in the 100 fly in both of UW’s meets this year.
Senior Derrick O’Donnell also is 2-for-2 on the season in the 200 IM, as he claimed wins in the event against both Iowa and in the Badgers’ season-opener against Milwaukee. He also has been the Badgers’ top threat in the backstroke, winning the 100 back against Milwaukee and taking second in both backstroke races against Iowa.
Another senior, Eric Johnson, finished second in the 100 breast against Iowa after winning the event against Milwaukee.
In diving, junior Caleb Percevecz will look to return to the form he showed in UW’s season-opener, when he shattered a 28-year-old school record to win the 3-meter competition with a score of 381.08. He also won on the 1-meter board against the Panthers.
Though they have competed in a Gopher alumni meet and intrasquad competition, the Gophers will make their season debut on Friday.
