2008 Woodie Awards
'Hawks grab top three finish at WIAC relays
Chris Kuhagen
Issue date: 11/20/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Continuing its recent road success, the men's swimming and diving team had a convincing victory at Lake Forest College and ended its weekend with a third place finish in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference relays in La Crosse.
The Warhawks have been competing against some of the top teams Division III has to offer in the past few weeks, and this weekend was no different as the 'Hawks competed against other top teams in the country.
On Saturday, UW-Whitewater and its conference foes faced each other for the first time this season at the WIAC relays. The invite was dominated by UW-Stevens Point, the No.6 team in Division III. The Pointers finished first with 158 points in the eight team event, UW-La Crosse landed second place and the Hawks tallied 94 points, two points ahead of UW-Eau Claire.
Head Coach Joel Rollings said in order to maintain its third place finish in the conference, the team needs to improve on a few different aspects.
"I am pleased with the results of this tournament, as we have been tested week in and week out, but we need to tighten up our relays if we want to take the next step in the conference," Rollings said.
The diving unit gave the 'Hawks an immediate lead over UW-Eau Claire, resulting from a runner-up finish from senior Kyle Boers and junior David Tetro. The 300-yard butterfly unit of juniors John Sedgwick and Tyler Slak and freshman Matt Mintz also posted a second place finish.
Junior captain Alex Kultgen said there were no huge surprises from the conference opponents, but the team needs to keep swimming with a sense of urgency and motivation.
"Fatigue has been showing in these past few meets, but the guys showed tremendous heart and determination to beat Eau Claire, which I believe will help us mentally for the future," Kultgen said.
Prior to the WIAC relays, the 'Hawks soundly thrashed Lake Forest. The Warhawks defeated the Foresters, 156-83, to improve its dual meet record to 3-1.
Rollings indicated the number of quality swimmers is a main factor for many of his team's victories this season.
"Lake Forest had some great athletes, but our depth was too strong," Rollings said. "Even though the road meets are offering a physical toll on the bodies of the swimmers, our team is mentally as strong as it's been all year."
Junior Mike Huffman and Boers made strong impacts at this meet. Huffman won multiple events and Boers became the new UW-Whitewater record holder for the 3-meter dive.
Kultgen, who was pleased with his team's results, said that Boers and his teammates continued to perform at a high level.
"Kyle is doing an outstanding job, and our team unity is really strong following a win on the road and after a third place finish in WIAC relays," Kultgen said.
The team will host an exhibition contest against Marquette University Nov. 30.
The Warhawks have been competing against some of the top teams Division III has to offer in the past few weeks, and this weekend was no different as the 'Hawks competed against other top teams in the country.
On Saturday, UW-Whitewater and its conference foes faced each other for the first time this season at the WIAC relays. The invite was dominated by UW-Stevens Point, the No.6 team in Division III. The Pointers finished first with 158 points in the eight team event, UW-La Crosse landed second place and the Hawks tallied 94 points, two points ahead of UW-Eau Claire.
Head Coach Joel Rollings said in order to maintain its third place finish in the conference, the team needs to improve on a few different aspects.
"I am pleased with the results of this tournament, as we have been tested week in and week out, but we need to tighten up our relays if we want to take the next step in the conference," Rollings said.
The diving unit gave the 'Hawks an immediate lead over UW-Eau Claire, resulting from a runner-up finish from senior Kyle Boers and junior David Tetro. The 300-yard butterfly unit of juniors John Sedgwick and Tyler Slak and freshman Matt Mintz also posted a second place finish.
Junior captain Alex Kultgen said there were no huge surprises from the conference opponents, but the team needs to keep swimming with a sense of urgency and motivation.
"Fatigue has been showing in these past few meets, but the guys showed tremendous heart and determination to beat Eau Claire, which I believe will help us mentally for the future," Kultgen said.
Prior to the WIAC relays, the 'Hawks soundly thrashed Lake Forest. The Warhawks defeated the Foresters, 156-83, to improve its dual meet record to 3-1.
Rollings indicated the number of quality swimmers is a main factor for many of his team's victories this season.
"Lake Forest had some great athletes, but our depth was too strong," Rollings said. "Even though the road meets are offering a physical toll on the bodies of the swimmers, our team is mentally as strong as it's been all year."
Junior Mike Huffman and Boers made strong impacts at this meet. Huffman won multiple events and Boers became the new UW-Whitewater record holder for the 3-meter dive.
Kultgen, who was pleased with his team's results, said that Boers and his teammates continued to perform at a high level.
"Kyle is doing an outstanding job, and our team unity is really strong following a win on the road and after a third place finish in WIAC relays," Kultgen said.
The team will host an exhibition contest against Marquette University Nov. 30.
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