Panthers Run Away With Victory In Home Opener
Dec. 7, 2007
MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's swimming & diving team won 12 of 13 events on Friday night to claim a 153-74 victory over South Dakota State in its home opener. The Panthers had three swimmers win multiple events to post their third victory in their last four duals. Junior Robby Leibold led the way with three individual victories. Seniors Chase Gravengood and David Yugo chipped in with two each while junior Andrew Belton, sophomore Jeremy Waldhart and freshman Nick DeWitt each had one. Both relay teams also claimed victories as well. "It's nice to finally be at home," UWM head coach Dave Griffore said. "We have been on the road a lot and for us to get our first win at home and do it by swimming very well brings some fun and excitement into tomorrow." Leibold led the charge, winning the 1000 freestyle, the 500 freestyle and the 200 butterfly. He recorded times of 9:37.25 in the 1000, 4:39.90in the 500 and 1:55.62 in the 200 fly for the wins. Gravengood went two-for-two in his individual events, touching the wall in a season-best 2:08.96 in the 200 breastsroke while also winning the 200 IM in 1:53.98. "I think Chase's 200 breast was a highlight of the meet - him going 2:08 was fantastic," Griffore said. "For Robby, he has just realized how talented he is. He went home, worked hard and is off to a great start to the year. At midpoint of the season, he is showing everyone that he is a legitimate swimmer in the conference."
Yugo claimed a pair of wins in the 100 and 200 freestyle, touching the wall in 47.63 in the 100 and 1:45.11 in the 200. Belton led a one-two-three finish for Milwaukee in the 50 free, touching out a victory in a season-best time of 21.76. Freshman Jake Kalinowski was second at 21.82 and sophomore Ed Lichinsky third at 22.06. Waldhart's victory came in the 200 backstroke, winning in 1:53.86. DeWitt was the top finisher for the UWM diving team, earning his first collegiate victory on the three-meter board with a season-best 225.68. He almost had the sweep, taking second on the one-meter by less than 1.5 points with a 202.95 total. The 400 medley relay team of Waldhart, Gravengood, senior Ross Bittner and Belton opened the night with a win in a time of 3:33.32. The 400 relay team of freshman Bill McCarty, Yugo, freshman Dan Heraly and Kalinowski then closed out the night with another win in a time of 3:12.93. The Panthers are right back at it tomorrow, hosting Valparaiso at the Klotsche Natatorium, starting at 1 p.m. |
