The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's and women's swim teams clinched their first wins of the season against Friday night against Wheaton College. Winning 10 out of 11 events, the men’s team beat Wheaton 147-57. Robbie Leibold led the team with three wins, and Chase Gravengood and Jeremy Waldhart both won two. Leibold placed first in 200 butterfly, 200 individual medley, and 500 freestyle.

Waldhart took first place victories in the 1,000 freestyle and 200 breaststroke, and Gravengood won the 200 free and 200 breaststroke. Producing 1-2-3 finishes in three different events helped the team stay victorious in the 500 free, 200 free and the 200 backstroke event. Dave Griffore, head coach of the teams, said the men have mixed strengths.

“On the men’s side we’re a little weaker in breaststroke and better off in distance,” Griffore said. They excelled in distance, evident in Waldhart winning the 1,000 free, Bill McCarty placing in second and Leibold securing the 500 freestyle. Gravengood showed improvement by leading in the 200 breaststroke. The Panthers grabbed the top four spots in the 200 back event with Waldhart (1:57.30) in the lead, then Garrett Dissmore (2:00.23), Dennis Knipfer (2:05.24), and Ross Bittner (2:06.16) taking the fourth spot.

On the women’s side, the Panthers held a 137-68 victory against Wheaton. Both winning two events, Molly Finn and Kelsey Ogle helped the team achieve winnings in eight out of 11 events Saturday night. Griffore said the women's team has more consistent strengths. “We’re solid across every event on the women’s side,” Griffore said. Finn stayed solid in the 200 butterfly (2:09.62) and the 200 IM (2:11.22).

Ogle placed first in the 200 freestyle (1:58.45) and in the 500 free (5:15.99). The women took four of the five spots in the 200 butterfly and in the 500 free. Also, both relay teams placed first, and Danielle Wenger won the 1,000 free.

Kerry Rossow topped in the 200 breaststroke, which was her first individual win of the season. The Panthers’ next meet is on Nov. 10 at UIC against Butler, UIC and North Dakota.

Griffore said he hopes the team continues to swim well.

“I think we’re better across the board,” Griffore said. “We filled a lot of holes from last year and overall both programs are better because of it.”

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