BROWN DEER, Wis. (www.blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's swim and dive team captured their 26^th WIAC Title on Saturday as they finished the championships with 877 points and the programs first title since 1999. The Blugolds' title ends a 23-year streak held by UW-Stevens Point.
 
The Blugolds captured two more WIAC titles on the final day of the championships as Kadin Denner (Jr. – Aurora, Colo.)  and Zhander Rowley (So. – Janesville, Wis./Parker) etched their names to the list of seven individuals and three relay teams to be crowned champions during the WIAC Championships.
 
Kadin Denner completed his stellar championship week by breaking a school, WIAC, and WIAC championship meet record during the 1650-yard freestyle with a time of 15:49.07. Denner captured his third WIAC title of the championship and sixth career conference title with his record time. Zhander Rowley was crowned champion during the 200-yard breaststroke with a top time of 2:04.08. Rowley earned his second title of the championship and second career WIAC crown.
 
Ben Keller (Sr. – Cedarburg, Wis.), Kaden Zink (Fr. – Watertown, S.D.), and Sam Ryf (Gr. – Berlin, Wis.) held impressive second place finishes in their events as Keller earned a 2:04.29 during the 200-yard breaststroke and Zink finished with a 16:08.14 in the 1650-yard freestyle. Ryf finished 0.03 seconds behind the top time in the 200-yard butterfly with a 1:50.27.
 
The Blugolds' 400-yard freestyle relay squad of Evan Schroeder (Jr. – Shakopee, Minn.), Alex Jorgenson (Sr. – Winona, Minn.), Rafael DaCosta (Sr. – Blair, Wis./Blair-Taylor), and Evan Bushko (Fr. – Gilbert, Ariz./Desert Vista) placed third with a final time of 3:04.28.
 
Individual awards during the meet included Kadin Denner being named the Swimmer of the Meet, Ben Koller earning Diver of the Meet, and head coach, Annie Ryder, being named Coach of the Meet.
 
The Blugolds' WIAC title will be celebrated at length until the team turns their focus to NCAA postseason competition. The NCAA Diving Zones are set for Friday and Saturday, February 23^rd and 24^th in at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. The squad will await the field for NCAA Championships held March 13^th – 14^th in Greensboro, N.C.
 
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