Oct. 25, 2013

Complete Results

Valparaiso, Ind. - Freshman Natalie Johnson won two individual events in impressive fashion and also aided in a relay victory as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's swimming & diving team took down Valparaiso University, 126-74, Friday evening at the ARC Pool.

The Panthers won 10 of the 11 events on the day to post their second-straight win to start the season.

"Tonight went well for us," Milwaukee head coach Kyle Clements said. "We were able to figure out a little more as the meet went forward. On the women's side, we saw where we are the deepest and where we can move people around. Both the men and women did very well. We were able to pick some things apart and answer a few more questions after tonight, which is something we're always looking to do."

Johnson kicked the night off with a bang, winning the 1000 freestyle with an outstanding time of 10 minutes, 20.48 seconds, more than 30 seconds ahead of the next finisher and the fastest time in the Horizon League this season. The freshman also had an impressive showing in the 500 free, touching the wall first at 5:03.69, a full 15 seconds faster than second place. Both times were just shy of freshman records.

She also teamed up with freshmen Kiersten Seidel, Kristin Zablocki and Emily Roche to win the 400 medley relay in 4:02.93, just beating Milwaukee's `B' squad on the night of Becky Yokosh, Brianna Huth, Mary Kuyvenhoven and Emily McClellan at 4:03.76.

"We had a lot of strong showings tonight and Natalie was one of them," Clements said. "She lapped the entire field in the 1000 and nearly did the same in the 500. Her time is about eight seconds faster than anyone in the conference and that's just a sign of things to come for her."

The Panthers took the top-three spots in a handful of events on the evening. Anna Yontz won the 200 free in 1:57.47, with Hilary Woldt just behind at 2:00.67 for second and Sarah Grieve in third at 2:04.34.

Senior Diana Diel took the top spot in the 200 IM with a winning time of 2:10.13. Seidel was second at 2:17.30 and Huth came in third at 2:20.82.

In her first ever time competing in the event, McClellan won the 50 free in 24.45, just touching out second place finisher Marley Cripe at 24.59.

Sierra Townsend easily won the 100 free in 53.36. Zablocki just beat out teammates Kelsey Abbas and Erika Pliner to take first in the 200 backstroke in 2:11.01.

Lindsey Verhulst won the 200 breaststroke for the second time in as many meets, touching the wall first at 2:27.95.

In the final event of the night, the 400 free relay team of Yontz, Abbas, Nicole Hutchins and Townsend ran away with the win with a time of 3:37.39, a full 11 seconds ahead of second place.

The Panthers have a quick turnaround, taking on Wright State Saturday at 11 a.m. central time in Dayton, Ohio.