March 19, 2011
Day 2 Results 
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin women’s swimming and diving team wrapped up another successful day at the NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas on Friday.
The Badgers qualified for three of the seven contested events in day two of competition, earning All-America accolades in each one.
“Every girl that swam tonight was spectacular,” head coach Eric Hansen said. “Five of the six girls here are first team All-Americans, and we’re hoping to get the last girl’s ticket punched tomorrow.”
The Badgers began the day by qualifying for the finals of their second relay in as many days with a then-season best time of 1:36.59 in the 200-yard medley relay.
The team of senior Maggie Meyer, junior Ashley Wanland, freshman Rebecka Palm and junior Beckie Thompson then finished the event as national runners-up in the finals. Their silver medal-winning time of 1:35.71 is a new Wisconsin and a new Big Ten record.
The Badgers only finished behind California, who set a new national record in the event (1:35.07).
“Our relay was phenomenal,” Hansen said. “We got beat by the American and U.S. Open record, so we didn’t lose to anything that wasn’t spectacular.”
The Badgers were individually successful as well during day two, including in the preliminaries.
Although she came very close to qualifying for the finals, Palm finished the preliminary round of the 100-yard butterfly tied for 19th overall with her time of 52.90. The Linkoping, Sweden native set a new Swedish national record in the event, in addition to tying the school record set by Christine Zwiegers in 2008.
“I’m really pleased with the progress she’s made (so far),” Hansen said, reflecting on Palm’s freshman season.
Wanland and Meyer moved on to the championship finals of the 100-yard breaststroke and 100-yard backstroke, respectively, and each received their third All-America honors of the championships.
Wanland matched her sixth-place finish in the prelims of the 100 breast in a very close final round with a season-best time of 59.57.
Meyer finished her collegiate career in the 100 back by placing fourth in 52.01 after qualifying with the second-fastest time in the preliminaries.
With one day of competition left, Wisconsin is currently sitting in 11th place with 118 points, only six points behind 10th-place Texas A&M and nine points behind ninth-place Auburn.
Among Saturday’s events are the 200-yard backstroke, which Meyer is seeded third in, and the 200-yard breaststroke, which Wanland has the 13th-fastest time in.
The Badgers also look to qualify for the championship finals in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Wisconsin is seeded seventh in the event after winning the Big Ten title and setting a new school record a month ago. A spot in the top eight relays would also make sophomore Laura Miller a first team All-American.
“All we can control is what we do,” Hansen said. “And that’s getting them (Meyer, Wanland and the relay) qualified for the top eight.”
Palm, Thompson, and sophomore Ruby Martin will also swim in the 100-yard freestyle on Saturday.
The NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships conclude Saturday with preliminaries at 11 a.m. and finals at 7 p.m., which are available to watch online at espn3.com.
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Caissa Casarez
UW Athletic Communications
