WIAC Championship Preview
UW-Stevens Point will aim for a program-best third consecutive
title at the WIAC Women's Swimming and Diving Championship this
weekend (Feb. 16-18) at the Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center in
Brown Deer. The 41st edition of the league meet will be held in
conjunction with the 50th gathering of the men's squads.
UW-Stevens Point owns six first-place finishes at the WIAC
championship and won last year's crown with 839 points. UW-La
Crosse took second with 813.5 points, UW-Eau Claire third with 724,
UW-Whitewater fourth with 441.5, UW-Oshkosh fifth with 240 and
UW-River Falls sixth with 185.
This year's championship features 15 individuals that have
combined to win 20 individual and 23 WIAC relay first-place
medals.
UW-Stevens Point junior Andrea Wagner is the defending champion in
the 100-yard freestyle and was a member of the winning 200-yard
freestyle relay. Sophomore Lauren Alexander was victorious in the
1,650-yard freestyle last season, while senior Anna Nyland won the
one-meter diving competition. In 2009, senior Whitney Boehme
contributed to the triumphant 800-yard freestyle relay.
Senior Kelly Kading is the two-time defending champion in the
100-yard breaststroke and added the 200-yard breaststroke a season
ago, along with the 200-yard freestyle relay and 200-yard medley
relay. Classmate Ashley Majewski joined her on the 200-yard medley
relay squad. Kading won the 400-yard medley relay in 2010 and was
entered with senior Diandra Nero.
UW-Eau Claire senior Nicole Dorvinen claimed Swimmer of the Meet honors last season and is the two-time defending champion in the 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard butterfly and 400-yard individual medley. She also contributed to winning 800-yard freestyle relay squads the past two years.
Senior Kirsten Lickel won the 200-yard individual medley and
1,650-yard freestyle in 2010. She has also contributed to the
victorious 800-yard freestyle relay squad the past two years.
Senior Julia Olson is the defending champion in the 50-yard
freestyle, while senior Angie Bakula won the 1,650-yard freestyle
during 2009.
UW-La Crosse senior Danielle Ellingson was a member of last year's
winning 400-yard medley relay. In 2010, she captured the 200-yard
breaststroke and contributed to the winning 400-yard freestyle
relay team. During 2009, Ellingson earned the 200-yard individual
medley, 400-yard individual medley, 400-yard freestyle relay,
200-yard medley relay and 400-yard medley relay.
Junior Abby Diehl is the defending champion in the 200-yard
backstroke and was a participant on the triumphant 400-yard
freestyle relay and 400-yard medley relay squads. In 2010, she was
a member of the winning 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard
freestyle relay.
Sophomore Erica O'Neill is the defending champion in the 100-yard
backstroke and chipped in on the winning 400-yard freestyle relay,
along with classmate Shannon Miller.