The Milwaukee men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams took the lead in both the men's and women's meets after day one of the four day event and never looked back in claiming the 2012 men’s and women’s swimming and diving championships.
On the men’s side, Milwaukee claimed its third consecutive conference championship as the Panthers outdistanced runner-up Cleveland State by a score of 901-726.5. UIC finished third with 701 points, Wright State fourth with 475, Green Bay fifth with 432 points and Valparaiso rounded out the field in sixth with 148 points.
In the women’s meet, Milwaukee’s win stopped Green Bay’s seven-year win streak at the conference championships. Milwaukee finished with 759.5 points, steadily pulling away from runner-up Cleveland State (675.5 points) who came into the day just five points behind the Panthers. Green Bay finished in third with 631 points, UIC in fourth with 566.5 points, Wright State in fifth with 402.5, Youngstown State in sixth with 364 points, Valparaiso in seventh with 137 points and Butler in eighth place with 124 points.
Milwaukee Head Coach Kyle Clements was named the Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year after leading the Panthers to both championships. Milwaukee freshman Kenny Stelpflug was named Men’s Newcomer of the Year, while sophomore Emily McClellan was the Women’s Swimmer of the Meet and also the Women’s Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Year.
Wright State’s Hermanus Botha was the Men’s Swimmer of the Meet and Men’s Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Year. Green Bay’s Daniel Pogue was Men’s Diver of the Year. Pogue’s Diving Coach, Tom Stover, was the Men’s Diving Coach of the Year.
In women’s individual awards, Youngstown State’s Ashley Dow and Green Bay’s Amanda Walker were named Co-Newcomers of the Year. Cleveland State’s Kacey Cummings was named Women’s Diver of the Meet after claiming the conference title in the 1-meter and 3-meter events. Cummings’ Diving Coach, Rich Karban, was named the Women’s Diving Coach of the Year.
Individual Awards
Men’s Newcomer of the Year: Kenny Stelpflug, Milwaukee
Women’s Co-Newcomers of the Year: Ashley Dow, Youngstown State and Amanda Walker, Green Bay
Men’s Diver of the Meet: Daniel Pogue, Green Bay
Women’s Diver of the Meet: Kacey Cummings, Cleveland State
Men’s Swimmer of the Meet: Hermanus Botha, Wright State
Women’s Swimmer of the Meet: Emily McClellan, Milwaukee
Men’s Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Year: Hermanus Botha, Wright State
Women’s Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Year: Emily McClellan, Milwaukee
Men’s Diving Coach of the Year: Tom Stover, Green Bay
Women’s Diving Coach of the Year: Rich Karban, Cleveland State
Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year: Kyle Clements, Milwaukee
Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year: Kyle Clements, Milwaukee
Team Scores
Women:
1. Milwaukee 759.5
2. Cleveland State 675.5
3. Green Bay 631
4. UIC 566.5
5. Wright State 402.5
6. Youngstown State 364
7. Valparaiso 137
8. Butler 124
Men:
1. Milwaukee 901
2. Cleveland State 726.5
3. UIC 701.5
4. Wright State 475
5. Green Bay 432
6. Valparaiso 148
Saturday, Feb. 25 Winners
Women 1650 Free: Kendra Rottier, Green Bay, 16:47.23
Men 1650 Free: Pawel Grzebala, Wright State, 15:43.93
Women 200 Back: Becky Yokosh, Milwaukee, 1:58.85 (Championship and League Record)
Men 200 Back: Eric Ahlden, Wright State, 1:48.03
Women 100 Free: Heidi Niespodzany, Milwaukee, :50.50
Men 100 Free: Berry Thompson, Cleveland State, :43.33 (Championship and League Record)
Women 200 Breast: Emily McClellan, Milwaukee, 2:08.94 (Championship and League Record)
Men 200 Breast: Nathan Grant, Cleveland State, 2:01.58
Women 200 Fly: Melanie Waszak, UIC, 2:01.24 (Preliminary time of 2:00.87 was a Championship and League Record)
Men 200 Fly: Justin Kermack, Cleveland State, 1:47.48
Women 3-meter Diving: Kacey Cummings, Cleveland State, 300.95
Women 400 Free Relay: Cleveland State, 3:22.32 (Championship and League Record)
Men 400 Free Relay: Milwaukee, 2:58.01
