Wisconsin Badgers
Big Ten Championships
Nelson doubles up with another record-setting Big Ten title
February 17, 2018 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Wisconsin sophomore named Swimmer of the Championships after backstroke sweep
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Over the final two days of the Big Ten championships, the Wisconsin women's swimming and diving team established itself as the top backstroke group in the conference — and maybe even the country.
After securing three of the top seven spots in the 100-yard backstroke on Friday, the Badgers replicated their performance during the 200 back on Saturday.
Beata Nelson claimed her second Big Ten championship of the week, walking away with gold in the 200 back while setting a Big Ten record of 1 minute, 49.59 seconds in the process. She put up the second sub-1:50 performance in Big Ten history, besting the time of 1:49.92 Indiana's Kate Fesenko laid down in 2010.
For the second straight day, Nelson was joined by teammates Katie Coughlin (1:54.03), who finished fifth, and Jess Unicomb (1:54.73), who finished sixth, on the podium.
"We have an awesome backstroke squad," Nelson said. "We train so hard. Part of the reason I swam so well was that we push each other."
Nelson swam so well, in fact, that the sophomore was named Big Ten Swimmer of the Championships following her sweep of the backstroke titles.
She takes down the Big Ten record and heads up the medal stand.
— Wisconsin Swimming & Diving (@BadgerSwimDive) February 18, 2018
Beata Nelson is a Big Ten champion again!#OnWisconSwim pic.twitter.com/umyV7KxK0V
"Honestly, it was a huge shock for me. There had been some great performances throughout the meet, and I didn't expect to get that," she said. "And after last year, it feels great to see all of that hard work pay off and to get some recognition."
"Obviously, Beata had a great performance in the 200 back and is very deservedly the Swimmer of the Championships," said UW head coach Whitney Hite. "To put up the second-fastest 100 in history (on Friday), and to break conference records by that kind of margin — to say it's impressive is an understatement."
Among the other notable performers from Saturday's finals was Ari Saghafi, whose 1:56.53 in the 200 fly earned her the second-fastest swim in school history.
"Ari is such a hard worker," Nelson said. "That performance is something that she absolutely deserves. It's really inspiring to watch your teammates have that kind of success. Ari always helps me stay calm at big meets — she always knows the right thing to say.
"It was amazing to see her have a swim like that."
Marissa Berg (48.95), Emmy Sehmann (49.08), and Abby Jagdfeld (49.18) earned the Badgers the eighth, ninth and 10th spots in the 100 freestyle. Berg set yet another personal record and now owns the eighth-fastest time in school history. Jagdfeld also set a personal best and now holds the 10th spot all-time.
The Badgers wrapped up the Big Ten championships with a third-place finish in the 400 free relay (3:14.12). Berg, Sehmann, Jagdfeld and Unicomb put an exclamation point on an exceptional performance for the Badgers, who finished fifth in the team scoring, with 755 points.
"We have a great backstroke group. Athletes have a funny way of making coaches look impressive," Hite said. "But, this is an outstanding swimming and diving program, period. This year we're trending up in backstroke, other years it's been distance — but we are always good."
Players Mentioned
