AUSTIN, Texas — Beata Nelson's performance at the Texas Invitational this weekend is certain to turn some heads.
Nelson's performance Friday in the 100-yard backstroke was truly phenomenal — her win, coming in 50.79 seconds, set Wisconsin and Big Ten records and stands as the second-fastest 100 back in the country this year.

The sophomore, who also broke the school record in the 200 IM Thursday, also picked up a second-place finish in the 100 butterfly, finishing in 51.88 to set a personal best in the event and move up to the second-fastest time in school history.

"I think the cat's out of the bag now. Beata is really good," said Wisconsin head coach Whitney Hite. "We've known that for a while now, and I'm very proud of her.

"To be able to drop the second-fastest time in program history in the 100 fly, and then follow that up with the best swim in Big Ten history in the 100 back a few minutes later — that's amazing.

"She's in a good spot. She's fit, she's strong, she's motivated — and she's just going to keep getting better."

There were also some record-worthy performances from the men's side, from freshmen, nonetheless.

MJ Mao raced to the fifth-best 100 breaststroke time in school history (54.51), and Matt Novinski claimed the sixth-fastest 100 back in Wisconsin history with a time of 47.55.

"They were both great today. Any time a freshman can get a top-10 time in program history, you know that the talent level is there," Hite said "The future is very bright for those two, and for the men's team as a whole."

A number of other Badgers put up standout performances on Day 3 of the Texas Invitational, including Katie Coughlin, whose times in the 100 back (54.23) and 100 fly (54.23) placed her in the top-10 in school history for both events, and junior Ari Saghafi, whose ninth-place finish in the 100 fly (52.90) earned her the sixth-best time in UW history.

"We really had a great evening. It's a lot of fun to watch. Like I said we would, we are getting better each day of the meet," Hite said. "Tomorrow is going to be our best day, and I'm looking forward to it.

Notable 

• The women's 200 medley relay squad of Jess Unicomb, Marissa Berg, Nelson and Emmy Sehmann saw their undefeated streak come to an end, finishing second with a time of 1:37.14.

• Unicomb earned a fourth-place finish in the 100 back (52.97).

• Berg posted an eighth-place finish in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.51).

• Abby Jagdfeld and Sehmann finished eight (1:46.24) and 11th (1:47.35), respectively, in the 200 free.

• The men's 200 medley relay squad of Novinski, Griffin Back, Mao, and Ryan Stack raced to a 13th-place finish (1:28.33).

• Megan Doty finished 16th in the 400 IM (4:24.19).

• Todd McCarthy finished the 100 back in 48.11, good for 19th place.

Up Next
The Badgers wrap up the Texas Invitational Saturday. The final day of competition features five events, including the 400 free relay, 100 free and 200 breast.