Jan. 28, 2012

Results

MADISON, Wis.-- The Big Ten Quad Duals drew to a close on Saturday in Minneapolis, and the Badgers will return to Madison with plenty to be proud of.

The Wisconsin women wrapped up their dual meet season by winning two of their three duals, beating Illinois, 260-93, and edging Purdue, 187-177. The Badgers came up short against Minnesota, falling 238-138.

Leading the Badgers on day two were Beckie Thompson and Ashley Wanland, each of who won individual events for UW. Thompson took the 100 free with a time of 50:35, while Wanland matched her with a victory in the 200 breast, posting an NCAA B qualifying time of 2:13.21 in the process.

Thompson added a top time in the 200 free relay to her impressive second day, joining teammates Ruby and Ivy Martin as well as Rebecka Palm to a B qualifying time of 1:32.31. Thompson, Palm, Ivy Martin, and Laura Miller would go on to post another B qualifying time of 3:22.93 en route to a third-place finish in the 400 free relay.

While the Badger men ultimately fell to Minnesota, 243-104, and Purdue, 236-111, the dynamic duo of Michael Weiss and Dan Lester turned in top performances to cap off a very strong weekend overall.

Lester cruised to a top time in the 100 fly, collecting a B qualifying time of 48.33 as well. Drew TeDuits also won an event, taking the 200 back with in 1:47.56.

Though he didn't win an event, Weiss was close all day, picking up a second-place finish in the 400 IM (3:54.89) in addition to a third-place finish in the 500 free (4:30.11). He would join Lester, Garrett Mulchrone, and Wes Lagerhausen in picking up a third-place in the 400 free relay (3:01.90).

Head coach Whitney Hite saw plenty of positives for the team.

"Weiss, again, was very good. Dan [Lester] was very good. Thompson's 100 free was outstanding. Wanland was very good," Hite said. "We definitely had some bright spots."

Wisconsin now sets its sights on the Big Ten Championships in Iowa City, beginning February 15 for the women and February 22 for the men. Before that, though, the Badgers get some much needed rest.

"With the trip to Los Angeles, school starting, and swimming hard against Green Bay and this weekend, it will be nice to get a little break," said Hite. "We're going to sharpen up a little bit, take advantage of this window, and hopefully we have lots of men and women moving on to the NCAAs."