The UW-Eau Claire men’s and women’s swimming and diving team made a splash this past weekend at the WIAC Championship in UW-Oshkosh’s Albee Hall.
Placing third of six for both teams, collectively gaining 181 more points from last year and having two swimmers and one diver named champions of four events gave the Blugolds much to be excited about.
“I was very proud of our team’s overall performance this past weekend,” coach Jerry Kollross said.
On the men’s side, the team scored 619 points this year compared to last year’s 507 points showing a 112 point increase. The women’s side, however, fell short of the goal scoring 529.5 points this year and 460.5 points last year leaving a respectable increase of 69.5 points.
“We obviously were successful on the men’s side,” Kollross said. However, he mentioned that it’s important to look at the times when comparing the scores.
“The WIAC is just getting faster and faster,” he said. “It’s important to note when looking at the scores that all of our times on the women’s team were faster, sometimes much faster in some events, but we only maintained the same place in the event and therefore were awarded the same score.”
“I swam way faster then I expected,” senior Amanda Kroger said. “I have no idea how that happened.”
In the 500 freestyle Kroger won with a time of 5 minutes, 10.10 seconds and took first in the 1650 meter with a time of 17:58.83.
“I was seeded seventh in both events. My goal was to make top eight . not many people were expecting me to win, including myself,” she said.
Freshman Jonathan Poppele earned the top spot in the 200 yard backstroke with a time of 1:56.14. This time also set the Blugold men’s new record in the event.
Senior Bryan Dykstra topped the diving side placing first in the one-meter dive. Dykstra won the event with a score of 489.85 points, and respectively took third place in the three-meter dive.
“I am very optimistic we will continue to move up the WIAC standings at next year’s conference meet based on the incoming recruiting class and returning underclassmen,” Kollross said.
One of the freshmen to look out for will be Angie Bakula, who will fill Kroger’s vacancies.
“I think she’ll definitely do so well next year,” Kroger said. “She can easily win some of the events next year . she has the work ethic to succeed.”
Continued training in the off season for the Blugolds will also be a factor in next years success, Kollross said. A program available to the Blugold swimming team has been losing success, which Kollross hopes will change.
“After having tasted a little of the successes from this past meet will hopefully carry the excitement over to the off season strength and condition program.”
