MADISON, Wis. – In a commanding performance Friday at the UW Natatorium, the Wisconsin swimming and diving teams cruised to victory in their season opener against Green Bay.
The Badgers men's team (1-0) routed the Phoenix men (0-1), 182-107. In similar fashion, Wisconsin's women (1-0) conquered the Green Bay women (0-1), 190-98.
"It was a lot of fun," said first-year UW coach
Yuri Suguiyama, who made his head coaching debut. "We wanted our athletes to enjoy this, and we saw a lot of positive things."
Indeed, Coach. Wisconsin placed first in every event.
While the Badgers overwhelmed Green Bay in their season debut at the Nat, Suguiyama says he still sees room for improvement.
"Kick counts, when we are breathing, how we are attacking our races – that can all improve," he said. "It's a marathon, not sprint. But they did a really great job today."
Suguiyama had nothing but praise for everyone involved in his first competition as head coach.
"I was really impressed with the amount of Badger red in the stands tonight," he said. "I'm just really thankful for my staff, our team and the fans who came out to support us tonight."
On the women's side, junior
Beata Nelson competed swimmingly, winning the 50-yard freestyle in 22.99 seconds.
Freshman
Lillie Hosack earned high praise from her coach and a first-place finish in the 100 backstroke, finishing the event with a time of 56.82.
"We're really proud of the work she has put in," Suguiyama said of the freshman.
Another freshman who made a splash in her first competition as a Badger was
Jenna Silvestri, who secured a first-place time of 2:22.05 in the 200 backstroke.
In diving, seniors
Hazel Hertting and Alex Hafey sealed a 1-2 sweep on the women's 1-meter board, scoring 292.05 and 265.95, respectively. Those scores qualified both divers for the NCAA zone championships. Hertting added a win, and another zone qualifying mark, with her score of 324.30 on the 3-meter board.
As for the men, junior
Cameron Tysoe sped to victory with a time of 1:47.27 seconds in the 200 back.
Junior
Kevin Pomeroy scored a win with a mark of 320.17 in the men's 1-meter diving competition, earning an NCAA zone qualifying mark in the process.
Brayden Schachle finished runner-up and also earned an NCAA zone nod with his score of 304.65.
The duo also swept the top two spots and earned zone qualifying marks on the 3-meter board, with Pomeroy completing his sweep of the diving titles – and breaking his own UW Natatorium record – with a score of 382.05.
"Pomeroy has always been solid for us," Suguiyama said.
The Badgers return to competition on Oct. 12 by hosting Big Ten rival Minnesota at the UW Natatorium.
