University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Wisconsin
Gophers Lose Close Border Battle Meet
10/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
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Oct. 16, 2015
The University of Minnesota swimming and diving teams both fell to the border-state rival Badgers on Friday night in Madison, Wisconsin. The women's team lost a tight race, 152-148, while the men lost 159-141.
Minnesota diving continued its dominance, capturing the win in both the men's and women's 1-meter and 3-meter competitions. In the racing pool, the Gopher women won seven out of 12 individual swimming events, but were unable to capitalize on relays. The men's swimming team took home four first-place marks.
WOMEN - L, 152-148
Yu Zhou captured first in both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events for the second straight week. Zhou's 1-meter score of 332.77 broke the UW Natatorium pool record. Teammate Lexi Tenenbaum followed for second (315.67), while Jessica Ramberg placed fourth. In the 3-meter contest, Zhou scored 366.38 points for the gold, and Tenenbaum finished fourth.
Danielle Nack swept the women's butterfly events against the Badgers. She powered through the 200-yard butterfly with a pool-record 1:59.05 to top the field, and posted a 54.32 in the 100-yard event. Both of Nack's best times this season are currently in the top five times in the nation. Nack was also a member of both leading relays for the Gophers, taking home second in the 200 medley relay (1:40.96) and 400 free relay (3:22.69).
Rachel Munson tallied two gold finishes after sweeping the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. Munson's 100-yard time of 1:02.65 bested the field, while her 200 time of 2:16.17 broke her out of her 2:19 trend. Rae Bullinger had a 1:04.74 in the 100 breast for fourth place, while Kaela Marcus finished third in the 200 breast with a 2:21.73.
Big Ten Swimmer of the Week Samantha Harding won the 1,000-yard freestyle for the third straight weekend for the Gophers. She finished with a time of 9:51.61, her best this season, which is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation. Harding was unable to sweep the distance freestyles for the first time this season, but finished second in the 500 free. Her time of 4:50.19 is a season best, and is currently the third fastest in the nation.
Senior Lauren Votava won the 200 free with a time of 1:50.41. Votava also picked up second in the 100 free with a 50.84 and contributed to the Gophers' 200 medley relay and 400 free relay.
Freshman Zoe Avestruz picked up four silver finishes in the 100 backstroke and 50 free with times of 55.84 and 23.73, respectively, as well as both the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay.
MEN - L, 159-141
Matt Barnard returns to Minneapolis with both men's diving event wins and two UW Natatorium pool records in his pocket. Barnard recorded a 357.83 on the 1-meter board and was followed by teammates Dylan Zoe (340.72), Manny Pollard (335.62) and Alan LeBlang (300.67). On 3-meter, Minnesota went 1-2-3-4 again, led by Barnard's 403.12 points.
Sophomore Conner McHugh led Minnesota a breaststroke sweep with a first-place finish in the 100 breast with a team season-best time of 56.07, as well as picking up a gold in the 200 breast with a 2:00.93. Teammate John Bushman followed for third in the 100 breast (57.07) and second in the 200 with a 2:02.58.
Daryl Turner won the 100 back by over a second with a time of 48.78. The junior finished second in the 100 fly (48.54), 50 free (20.59) and 200 medley relay (1:29.99).
Freshman Brian Poon had a powerful event win in the 200 IM with a time of 1:50.18. Poon also led the Gophers in the 200 fly (1:59.53) and 200 back (1:51.46) for second and fourth place, respectively.
Michael Messner led the Gophers in the distance freestyle events, finishing second in the men's 1000 free with a time of 9:25.90 and third in the 500 free with a 4:34.79.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Golden Gophers will have some time off before heading to Iowa on Friday, Oct. 30 for a dual against the Hawkeyes. The contest is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT at the University of Iowa's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.
FOLLOW THE GOPHERS
Are you following the Gophers on the road or from home? Make sure to follow @GopherSwimDive on Twitter and use the team's new hashtag #ATC, "Answer the Call". You can also check for updates on Facebook and Instagram by "liking" Minnesota Swimming and Diving on Facebook or following the team on Instagram.
Players Mentioned
