Jan. 27, 2012

• Results

MADISON, Wis. - The Big Ten Quad Duals are underway in Minneapolis, with the Badgers off to a promising start against Purdue, Minnesota, and Illinois.

While the Badger men ended the day trailing Purdue 131-68 and Minnesota 137-62, there were plenty of bright spots.

Michael Weiss continued his late-season surge with yet another phenomenal performance. In addition to posting first-place finishes in the 200 free (1:37.18) and 200 IM (1:48.36), Weiss joined teammates Dan Lester, Wes Langerhausen, and Andrew Neilsen to provide Wisconsin with an elusive top time in the 800 free relay (6:40.55).

"[Weiss] was awesome. I think he's swimming as well as anyone in the country," said head coach Whitney Hite. "For the 800 free relay to win, that's a huge step for this program. For us to win that is incredible."

Weiss wasn't the only Badger to get off to a fast start, as Lester and Drew TeDuits also turned in solid finishes on day one. TeDuits raced to a first-place finish in the 100 back (49.70), while Lester narrowly missed a first place of his own in the 200 fly, settling for a second-place time of 1:48.36.

For the women, Ashley Wanland was her typical solid self, pacing the Badger women to leads over Purdue, 111-92, and Illinois, 146-59. However, the women trail Minnesota, 135-70.

Wanland's time of 1:01.18 in the 100 breast earned her a first-place finish in the event. The Badgers also received stellar showings from Laura Miller, who took first (2:01.68) in the 200 IM, and Beckie Thompson who grabbed a top time of 22.40 in the 50 free. Ivy Martin just missed a win of her own, finishing just behind Thompson in the 50 free in 23.12.

Wisconsin hopes its promising start will lead to even bigger things on day two.

"We did very well, but we want to keep rolling," said Hite. "We're swimming very well, and the expectation for tomorrow is to continue to swim fast."

The Big Ten Quad Duals conclude tomorrow in Minneapolis at noon.