Friday, November 3
Minneapolis, MN
6 PM
Wisconsin Badgers
at
Michigan, Minnesota, Penn State
Photo by: Michael Ringor
Five Things to Know: Bring on the Big Ten
November 01, 2017 | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
Wisconsin set to face first conference competition of season in Minneapolis
MADISON, Wis. – After wrapping up its home slate and celebrating senior night last weekend vs. NC State, the Wisconsin swimming and diving team will hit the road this weekend to take on Michigan, Minnesota and Penn State in a quad dual meet in Minneapolis. Here are five things to know as the Badgers prepare for their first Big Ten competition.
THE BADGERS KEEP COMPETING
The Badgers have faced especially tough competition to open their season, facing four Top 25 opponents in three consecutive weeks. Despite the stout slate, the Badgers have proven competitive in each and every event.Â
UW head coach Whitney Hite expects his athletes to keep it up.
"This is a young team, so we expect to have a lot to work on," Hite said. "But, most importantly, we have been competing. That's what I'm looking for out of the team at this point in the season. That's why we're confident about where we are right now."
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BIG TEN TIME
The Badgers will get their first look at Big Ten competition this weekend in Minnesota. Penn State and Minnesota (whose women's team is ranked 17th by the CSCAA) both present a challenge to the Badgers, but Michigan stands out as the stiffest competition at this weekend's meet. The Wolverines' women's team is ranked third in the latest coaches poll, with its men's team coming in at No. 7.
"This is another opportunity to face some of the best teams in the country, who also happen to be some of the best teams in our conference," Hite said. "We're excited to lace up again and have at it.
"It gives us the opportunity to measure up and see where we are. These are the teams that we'll be seeing at conference, so we're excited for the opportunity."
JESS UNICOMB
Jess Unicomb put together a strong showing during last week's meet vs. NC State. The junior swam the backstroke leg for the victorious 200-yard medley relay squad. Unicomb also picked up a second-place finish in the 100 back (54.47) and a third-place finish in the 200 back (1:57.22).
"She's kind of a Swiss Army knife for us. She can swim IM, she can swim backstroke, she can swim freestyle," Hite said. "She's super valuable to our team.
"She's a really good swimmer, and gives a great effort each time."
ROAD WARRIORS
Last week's meet with NC State was the Badgers' final home competition of the season, meaning that Wisconsin will be on the road the remainder of the year.
"It's a challenge, but that's just the way the cookie crumbled," Hite said. "It's nothing that we won't be able to handle. We're used to going out and competing against the best teams in the country."
The Badgers will be in Minneapolis this week, and will then travel to Green Bay and Northwestern, before heading to Austin to take part in the always-fast Texas Invitational.
PUTTING IN THE WORK
The work for Wisconsin's swimmers and divers isn't coming to an end any time soon — but that's the way they like it.
"Swimming is a little different from other sports in the sense that there are teams that swim fast all of the time and there are teams that have to work hard all season to get where they want to be," Hite said. "We're the kind of team that works very hard to get better so that our best meets are at conference and NCAAs.
"Both types of teams are fine, but we like being a team that works and works and works. That's how we get better."
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THE BADGERS KEEP COMPETING
The Badgers have faced especially tough competition to open their season, facing four Top 25 opponents in three consecutive weeks. Despite the stout slate, the Badgers have proven competitive in each and every event.Â
UW head coach Whitney Hite expects his athletes to keep it up.
"This is a young team, so we expect to have a lot to work on," Hite said. "But, most importantly, we have been competing. That's what I'm looking for out of the team at this point in the season. That's why we're confident about where we are right now."
Â
BIG TEN TIME
The Badgers will get their first look at Big Ten competition this weekend in Minnesota. Penn State and Minnesota (whose women's team is ranked 17th by the CSCAA) both present a challenge to the Badgers, but Michigan stands out as the stiffest competition at this weekend's meet. The Wolverines' women's team is ranked third in the latest coaches poll, with its men's team coming in at No. 7.
"This is another opportunity to face some of the best teams in the country, who also happen to be some of the best teams in our conference," Hite said. "We're excited to lace up again and have at it.
"It gives us the opportunity to measure up and see where we are. These are the teams that we'll be seeing at conference, so we're excited for the opportunity."
JESS UNICOMB
Jess Unicomb put together a strong showing during last week's meet vs. NC State. The junior swam the backstroke leg for the victorious 200-yard medley relay squad. Unicomb also picked up a second-place finish in the 100 back (54.47) and a third-place finish in the 200 back (1:57.22).
"She's kind of a Swiss Army knife for us. She can swim IM, she can swim backstroke, she can swim freestyle," Hite said. "She's super valuable to our team.
"She's a really good swimmer, and gives a great effort each time."
ROAD WARRIORS
Last week's meet with NC State was the Badgers' final home competition of the season, meaning that Wisconsin will be on the road the remainder of the year.
"It's a challenge, but that's just the way the cookie crumbled," Hite said. "It's nothing that we won't be able to handle. We're used to going out and competing against the best teams in the country."
The Badgers will be in Minneapolis this week, and will then travel to Green Bay and Northwestern, before heading to Austin to take part in the always-fast Texas Invitational.
PUTTING IN THE WORK
The work for Wisconsin's swimmers and divers isn't coming to an end any time soon — but that's the way they like it.
"Swimming is a little different from other sports in the sense that there are teams that swim fast all of the time and there are teams that have to work hard all season to get where they want to be," Hite said. "We're the kind of team that works very hard to get better so that our best meets are at conference and NCAAs.
"Both types of teams are fine, but we like being a team that works and works and works. That's how we get better."
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Players Mentioned
Back/Free/IM
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