2005-06 WIAC Women's Swimming & Diving Headlines

2005-06 WIAC Women's Swimming & Diving Headlines

UW-Stevens Point Finishes 10th; UW-La Crosse 17th at NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships

RELEASED: Saturday, March 11, 2006

Minneapolis, Minn.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point finished 10th and UW-La Crosse placed 17th to lead three conference teams at the 2006 NCAA Division III Women's Swimming and Diving Championships which were held the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center March 9-11. The meet was hosted by Carleton College (Minn.).

UW-Stevens Point totaled 138 team points, while UW-La Crosse had 62 points. UW-Eau Claire tied for 46th with six points.

Emory University (Ga.) claimed its second straight national championship with 428 points, followed by Kenyon College (Ohio) with 418 points, Williams College (Mass.) with 293 points, Amherst College (Mass.) with 232 points and Washington University (Mo.) with 218 points. The margin of victory was the closest in NCAA Division III history.

UW-Stevens Point's Caitlin Hake finished sixth in the 100-yard freestyle and seventh in the 50-yard freestyle with performances of 52.58 and 24.34, respectively. Jennie Roskopf placed eighth in the 100-yard breaststroke and 13th in the 200-yard breaststroke with times of 1:07.36 and 2:24.77, respectively.

Kelsey Crunstedt completed the 50-yard freestyle in 24.46 to place ninth, while Liz Herder finished 16th in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:00.16.

The Pointers had four relay teams perform well during the three-day national competition. The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Jerica Crook, Beth Bard, Crunstedt and Hake finished fourth with a mark of 1:36.52.

Herder, Roskopf, Bard and Crunstedt teamed to place fifth in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:46.95, while Hake, Bard, Crook and Crunstedt finished eighth in the 400-yard freestyle relay with a performance of 3:38.68.

The 800-yard freestyle relay quartet of Meghan Walsh, Crook, Bard and Hake placed 13th with a time of 7:54.93.
UW-La Crosse's Carlene Empanger finished 13th in the 500-yard freestyle and 15th in the 200-yard freestyle with times of 5:04.17 and 1:55.17, respectively. Kristi Parker posted a time of 59.08 in the 100-yard backstroke to place 12th.

UW-La Crosse's Amanda Medendorp finished fifth in the one-meter diving competition with a score of 426.55 and ninth in the three-meter event with a score of 394.75.

The Eagles posted a pair of 10th place standings in the 800-yard freestyle relay and 200-yard medley relay. Clare Hathaway, Kelly Hackbarth, Sarah Russart and Empanger registered a time of 7:51.47 in the 800-yard freestyle, while Parker, Russart, Hackbarth and Hathaway completed the 200-yard medley in 1:48.63.

UW-Eau Claire's Cori Severson finished 11th in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 24.69.

The top eight finishers in each event at the national championship claimed All-America honors, while places 9-16 earned honorable mention All-America status.

WIAC All-Americans
50-Yard Freestyle--Caitlin Hake (UW-Stevens Point-7th), Kelsey Crunstedt (UW-Stevens Point-9th), Cori Severson (UW-Eau Claire-11th)

100-Yard Freestyle--Caitlin Hake (UW-Stevens Point-6th)

200-Yard Freestyle--Carlene Empanger (UW-La Crosse-15th)

500-Yard Freestyle--Carlene Empanger (UW-La Crosse-13th)

100-Yard Backstroke--Kristi Parker (UW-La Crosse-12th), Liz Herder (UW-Stevens Point-16th)

100-Yard Breaststroke--Jennie Roskopf (UW-Stevens Point-8th)

200-Yard Breaststroke--Jennie Roskopf (UW-Stevens Point-13th)

One-Meter Diving--Amanda Medendorp (UW-La Crosse-5th)

Three-Meter Diving--Amanda Medendorp (UW-La Crosse-9th)

200-Yard Freestyle Relay--UW-Stevens Point (Jerica Crook, Kelsey Crunstedt, Beth Bard, Caitlin Hake-4th)

400-Yard Freestyle Relay-UW-Stevens Point (Caitlin Hake, Beth Bard, Jerica Crook, Kelsey Crunsted-8th)

800-Yard Freestyle Relay--UW-La Crosse (Clare Hathaway, Kelly Hackbarth, Sarah Russart, Carlene Empanger-10th), UW-Stevens Point (Jerica Crook, Meghan Walsh, Beth Bard, Caitlin Hake-13th)

200-Yard Medley Relay--UW-Stevens Point (Liz Herder, Jennie Roskopf, Beth Bard, Kelsey Crunstedt-5th), UW-La Crosse (Kristi Parker, Sarah Russart, Kelly Hackbarth, Clare Hathaway-10th)

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Two Share Women's Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete Honor

RELEASED: Monday, February 13, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Carlene Empanger and UW-Stevens Point's Jennie Roskopf have been named 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women's Swimming and Diving Co-Scholar-Athletes.

Empanger, a senior from Chaska, Minn., is majoring in chemistry with a minor in business and carries a 3.30 grade point average. She is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been named to UW-La Crosse's Dean's List four semesters. Empanger has received an undergraduate research publication from UW-La Crosse's chemistry department.

Empanger is a 10-time individual conference champion and five-time member of a winning relay squad. She holds conference records in the 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle and 1,650-yard freestyle and owns four school records and two Mitchell Hall pool records. Empanger has claimed six All-America Honorable Mention honors in her career (three individual, three relay).

Empanger is a Student Senate officer at UW-La Crosse this year. She has worked for the school's Safety on our Sidewalks program and as a computer lab consultant.

Roskopf, a senior from West Bend, Wis. (East H.S.), boasts a 3.45 grade point average and is majoring in psychology with a minor in coaching. She is a three-time selection to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has received Honors and High Honors from her institution.

Roskopf, a team captain this year, helped UW-Stevens Point to the conference title last weekend after winning the 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard breaststroke titles. She is a six-time individual conference champion and four-time member of a winning relay team. Roskopf also holds the league record and school record in the 200-yard medley relay. She is a three-time All-America Honorable Mention selection as a member of relay team.

Roskopf is a member of the Psi Chi National Honor Society and UW-Stevens Point's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She has served as a swim instructor/lifeguard at the Stevens Point YMCA and a volunteer track coach at a Stevens Point Area Junior High School.

Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-Eau Claire's Vanessa Palmert and Cori Severson, UW-La Crosse's Stephanie Grieger and Kara Schutts, UW-Oshkosh's Danielle Polzin and UW-Stevens Point's Michelle Schaefer and Jennifer Wood.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman, who served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she functioned as Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from October, 1984 - September, 1996.

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

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UW-Stevens Point Captures Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships

RELEASED: Saturday, February 11, 2006

Minneapolis, Minn.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point captured the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships following conclusion of the three-day league meet, which was held at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center on February 9-11.

The Pointers secured their seventh straight men's title and 10th in school history (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1977). The seven consecutive championships is the longest streak in the conference since UW-Eau Claire won 19 straight from 1978-96.

UW-Stevens Point won the men's crown with 1,017.50 team points, followed by UW-La Crosse (781.50), UW-Eau Claire (526), UW-Whitewater (368), UW-Oshkosh (284) and UW-River Falls (185).

The women's championship for UW-Stevens Point is the third in school history (2006, 2001, 2000) and snapped UW-La Crosse's string of four straight titles.

The Pointers secured the women's championship with 985 team points, followed by UW-La Crosse (938.50), UW-Eau Claire (545), UW-Whitewater (321.50), UW-Oshkosh (261) and UW-River Falls (201).

UW-Stevens Point captured three individual men's titles during the third day of competition. Chase Gross secured his third individual crown at the meet after winning the 100-yard freestyle with a NCAA "B" qualifying performance and conference record time of 45.98.

Ben Gensler won the 200-yard breaststroke with a conference record and NCAA "B" qualifying time of 2:03.97, while Rob Donisch claimed the 200-yard butterfly with a NCAA "B" qualifying mark of 1:53.41.

UW-Stevens Point also was victorious in the 400-yard freestyle relay as Alex Anderson, Matt Grunwald, Tyler Eloranta and Gross combined for a NCAA "B" qualifying performance and conference record time of 3:04.98.

UW-La Crosse's Anthony Schmidt claimed his second title in as many days after winning the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 1:54.90, while Karl Richters won the 1,650-yard freestyle with a mark of 16:48.27. It was Richters' second title of the championship.

UW-Eau Claire' Scott Heatwole captured the three-meter diving title for the second straight year with a score of 466.55. He shared the Diver of the Meet award with UW-Oshkosh's Jacob Chadderdon. It marked the second consecutive season Heatwole has won the honor.

UW-Stevens Point's Anderson was voted the Swimmer of the Meet.

UW-Stevens Point's women's team captured three individual titles during the final day of competition. Megan Walsh won her second crown at the championship in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:11.70, while Abby Strobel also claimed her second title with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 2:09.06 in the 200-yard backstroke.

Jennie Roskopf won the 200-yard breaststroke for the third consecutive year with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 2:24.69. It was her second title at this year's league meet.

The Pointers also won the 400-yard freestyle relay as Caitlin Hake, Beth Bard, Jerica Crook and Kelsey Crunstedt combined for a NCAA "B" qualifying mark of 3:33.04.

UW-La Crosse's Carlene Empanger was voted the Swimmer of the Meet for the second time in her career after winning the 1,650-yard freestyle with a time of 17:48.69 and claiming her third individual title at this year's championship. She also received the swimmer of the meet honor during the 2004 championship.

The Eagles' Amanda Medendorp received the Diver of the Meet award after claiming the one-meter and three-meter competitions during the first two days of the championship.

UW-Eau Claire's Cori Severson claimed the 100-yard freestyle with a NCAA "B" qualifying performance and conference record mark of 51.74.

UW-Stevens Point head coach Al Boelk was voted the men's coach of the year by the league coaches for the fourth consecutive season and seventh time in his career (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1998). He also received the women's prize for the second straight year and fourth time during his tenure (2006, 2005, 2003, 2000).

UW-Stevens Point's Garth Newport received the Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award, while UW-La Crosse's Carlene Empanger and UW-Stevens Point's Jennie Roskopf shared the Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award.

Day Three Champions
Men
100-Yard Freestyle: Chase Gross (UW-Stevens Point), 45.98*
1,650-Yard Freestyle: Karl Richters (UW-La Crosse), 16:48.27
200-Yard Butterfly: Rob Donisch (UW-Stevens Point), 1:53.41
200-Yard Backstroke: Anthony Schmidt (UW-La Crosse), 1:54.90
200-Yard Breaststroke: Ben Gensler (UW-Stevens Point), 2:03.97*
Three-Meter Diving: Scott Heatwole (UW-Eau Claire), 466.55

400-Yard Freestyle Relay: UW-Stevens Point (Alex Anderson, Matt Grunwald, Tyler Eloranta, Chase Gross), 3:04.98*

Women
100-Yard Freestyle: Cori Severson (UW-Eau Claire), 51.74*
1,650-Yard Freestyle: Carlene Empanger (UW-La Crosse), 17:48.69
200-Yard Butterfly: Meghan Walsh (UW-Stevens Point), 2:11.70
200-Yard Backstroke: Abby Strobel (UW-Stevens Point), 2:09.06
200-Yard Breaststroke: Jennie Roskopf (UW-Stevens Point), 2:24.69

400-Yard Freestyle Relay: UW-Stevens Point (Caitlin Hake, Beth Bard, Jerica Crook, Kelsey Crunstedt), 3:33.04

*Conference Record

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UW-La Crosse and UW-Stevens Point Lead Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships

RELEASED: Friday, February 10, 2006

Minneapolis, Minn.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and UW-Stevens Point lead the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships following the conclusion of the second day of competition at the three-day league meet at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.

UW-La Crosse leads the women's championship with 693.50 team points, followed by UW-Stevens Point (665), UW-Eau Claire (374), UW-Whitewater (228.50), UW-Oshkosh (182) and UW-River Falls (144). The Eagles have won four consecutive women's titles.

UW-Stevens Point tops the men's meet with 675.50 team points, followed by UW-La Crosse (523.50), UW-Eau Claire (325), UW-Whitewater (247), UW-Oshkosh (185) and UW-River Falls (130). The Pointers have secured six straight men's championships.

In the women's meet, UW-La Crosse and UW-Stevens Point both claimed three individual titles and one relay crown during Friday's competition. The Eagles' Carlene Empanger won her second individual crown in as many days, claiming the 200-yard freestyle for the second straight season with a NCAA "B" qualifying performance and conference meet record time of 1:54.39.

Amanda Medendorp also captured her second title at the league meet, winning the one-meter diving event with a score of 418.40.

The Eagles' Stephanie Grieger secured the 400-yard individual medley with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 4:38.05.

UW-La Crosse's 800-yard freestyle relay team of Clare Hathaway, Kelly Hackbarth, Sarah Russart and Empanger posted a NCAA "B" qualifying performance and conference meet record time of 7:46.66.

UW-Stevens Point's Jennie Roskopf won the 100-yard breaststroke title for the third consecutive year with a NCAA "B" qualifying performance and conference meet record time of 1:06.40.

Meghan Walsh secured the 100-yard butterfly title with a time of 59.20, while Liz Herder was victorious in the 100-yard backstroke with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 59.05.

The Pointers' 200-yard medley relay team of Beth Bard, Kelsey Crunstedt, Roskopf and Herder established a conference meet record time of 1:46.85. Their performance also automatically qualified them for the NCAA Division III Championships.

In the men's gathering, UW-Stevens Point was led by Garth Newport, who captured a pair of individual titles. He won the 100-yard butterfly championship for the third straight year with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 50.92 and the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 54.22.

The Pointers' Alex Anderson claimed his second individual crown in as many days, winning the 100-yard breaststroke for the second consecutive year with a conference meet record time of 56.10. His time also automatically qualified him for the NCAA Division III Championships.

UW-Stevens Point's Chase Gross claimed the team's final individual title in the 200-yard freestyle with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 1:42.63.

UW-La Crosse's Anthony Schmidt won the 400-yard individual medley with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 4:08.97.

UW-Stevens Point also secured both relay titles during the second day of competition after Matt Grunwald, Ben Gensler, Tyler Eloranta and Gross teamed to win the 800-yard freestyle relay with a NCAA "B" qualifying performance and conference meet record time of 6:54.18.

Willie Clapp, Anderson, Newport and Gross captured the 200-yard medley relay with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 1:33.75.

Day Two Champions
Men
200-Yard Freestyle: Chase Gross (UW-Stevens Point), 1:42.63
100-Yard Butterfly: Garth Newport (UW-Stevens Point), 50.92
100-Yard Backstroke: Garth Newport (UW-Stevens Point), 54.22
100-Yard Breaststroke: Alex Anderson (UW-Stevens Point), 56.10*
400-Yard Individual Medley: Anthony Schmidt (UW-La Crosse), 4:08.97

800-Yard Freestyle Relay: UW-Stevens Point (Chase Gross, Matt Grunwald, Ben Gensler, Tyler Eloranta), 6:54.18*
200-Yard Medley Relay: UW-Stevens Point (Willie Clapp, Alex Anderson, Garth Newport, Chase Gross), 1:33.75

Women
200-Yard Freestyle: Carlene Empanger (UW-La Crosse), 1:54.39*
100-Yard Butterfly: Meghan Walsh (UW-Stevens Point), 59.20
100-Yard Backstroke: Liz Herder (UW-Stevens Point), 59.05
100-Yard Breaststroke: Jennie Roskopf (UW-Stevens Point), 1:06.40*
400-Yard Individual Medley: Stephanie Grieger (UW-La Crosse), 4:38.05
One-Meter Diving: Amanda Medendorp (UW-La Crosse), 418.40

800-Yard Freestyle Relay: UW-La Crosse (Clare Hathaway, Kelly Hackbarth, Sarah Russart, Carlene Empanger), 7:46.66*
200-Yard Medley Relay: UW-Stevens Point (Liz Herder, Jennie Roskopf, Beth Bard, Kelsey Crunstedt), 1:46.85*

*Conference Record

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UW-Stevens Point Leads After Day One of Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships

RELEASED: Thursday, February 9, 2006

Minneapolis, Minn.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point leads the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships following the first of three days of competition at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.

In the women's meet, the Pointers have compiled 301 team points, followed by UW-La Crosse (273.50), UW-Eau Claire (171), UW-Whitewater (99.50), UW-Oshkosh (76) and UW-River Falls (69). UW-La Crosse has won four straight women's titles.

On the men's side, UW-Stevens Point has totaled 273 team points, followed by UW-La Crosse (224), UW-Eau Claire (199), UW-Whitewater (100), UW-Oshkosh (73) and UW-River Falls (56). The Pointers have claimed the last six men's conference crowns.

UW-Stevens Point claimed two individual and two relay titles during the first day of the women's meet. Abby Strobel claimed the 200-yard individual medley title with a conference meet record time of 2:10.09. Her time was also a NCAA "B" qualifying performance. Caitlin Hake secured the 50-yard freestyle with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 24.21.

The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Jerica Crook, Beth Bard, Kelsey Crunstedt and Hake posted a NCAA "B" qualifying performance and conference meet record time of 1:36.43. The 400-yard medley relay quartet of Liz Herder, Jennie Roskopf, Meghan Walsh and Hake finished with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 3:55.65.

UW-La Crosse's Carlene Empanger became the first individual in league history to win four straight 500-yard freestyle titles with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 5:06.17.

The Eagles' Amanda Medendorp captured the three-meter diving crown with a score of 453.25.

UW-Stevens Point also secured a pair of individual and relay titles in the men's race. Alex Anderson became the first person in meet history to win four consecutive 200-yard individual medley titles, posting a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 1:54.10, while Chase Gross claimed the 50-yard freestyle championship with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 21.28.

The Pointers' Kyle Hartl, Tyler Eloranta, Anderson and Gross won the 200-yard freestyle relay with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 1:23.74, while Willie Clapp, Garth Newport, Tyler Eloranta and Anderson secured the 400-yard medley relay crown with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 3:26.49.

UW-La Crosse's Karl Richters claimed the 500-yard freestyle for the second straight year with a NCAA "B" qualifying time of 4:39.35.

UW-Oshkosh's Jacob Chadderdon won the one-meter diving competition with a score of 444.60.

Day One Champions
Men
50-Yard Freestyle--Chase Gross (UW-Stevens Point), 21.28
500-Yard Freestyle--Karl Richters (UW-La Crosse), 4:39.35
200-Yard Individual Medley--Alex Anderson (UW-Stevens Point), 1:54.10
One-Meter Diving--Jacob Chadderdon (UW-Oshkosh), 444.60

200-Yard Freestyle Relay--UW-Stevens Point (Alex Anderson, Kyle Hartl, Tyler Eloranta, Chase Gross), 1:23.74
400-Yard Medley Relay--UW-Stevens Point (Willie Clapp, Alex Anderson, Garth Newport, Tyler Eloranta), 3:26.49

Women
50-Yard Freestyle--Caitlin Hake (UW-Stevens Point), 24.21
500-Yard Freestyle--Carlene Empanger (UW-La Crosse), 5:06.17
200-Yard Individual Medley--Abby Strobel (UW-Stevens Point), 2:10.09*
Three-Meter Diving--Amanda Medendorp (UW-La Crosse), 453.25

200-Yard Freestyle Relay--UW-Stevens Point (Jerica Crook, Beth Bard, Kelsey Crunstedt, Caitlin Hake), 1:36.43*
400-Yard Medley Relay--UW-Stevens Point (Liz Herder, Jennie Roskopf, Meghan Walsh, Caitlin Hake), 3:55.65

*Conference Record

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