ROCHESTER, Minn. - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire swim and dive teams traveled to Rochester, MN for the Rochester Invitational hosted by St. Cloud State University. The Blugolds captured multiple podium placements. Both men's and women's teams finished 4th place for the weekend.

Men's Swim & Dive:
The Blugold men's swim and dive demonstrated competitive depth at the Rochester Swim and Dive Invite, with notable performances including Emmett Botten's third-place finish in the 200-yard butterfly and Zhander Rowley's second-place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke. Drew Testin had a strong showing for the Blugolds with multiple top 5 finishes including 3rd in the 200 freestyle with a conference leading time of 1:41.63. He was also an integral part of the Blugolds' 4th place finish in the 400 Medley relay including a personal best in in the 100 back. He was also part of the 5th place 200 Freestyle relay. Rowley demonstrated consistency in the breaststroke, securing second in the 100-yard event and taking third in the 200-yard breaststroke at 2:05.52. Botten placed fourth in the 100-yard butterfly, contributing to relay performances, including a fifth-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay.

Men's Dive saw Charlie Nohner place 9th on the 1 meter and 5th in the 3 meter. Charlie competed against a mix of division 2 and division 3 divers.

Team Summary
- The Blugolds' team of Henry Botten, Jack Gunderson, Emmett Botten, and Evan Bushko placed sixth in the 200-yard medley relay.
- Derek Stadheim and Kaden Zink finished fourth and fifth in the 1650-yard freestyle, recording times of 16:26.45 and 16:27.83, respectively.
- The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Testin, Bushko, Emmett Botten, and Gunderson took fifth place.

Women's Swim & Dive:
The Blugold women's swim and dive secured multiple top-three finishes, highlighted by Elaina Plonis winning the 200-yard butterfly and Molly Hosack placing second in the 500-yard freestyle and third in the 1650-yard freestyle at the Rochester Swim and Dive Invite. Hosack delivered a strong performance, securing second place in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:05.89 and third in the 1650-yard freestyle at 17:41.70. Plonis excelled in the 200-yard butterfly, capturing first place with a time of 2:06.15, and earned second in the 100-yard butterfly at 57.17, the conference best. She also led off the 7th place 800 free relay team with a personal best time, and was part of the 2nd place 400 medley relay. Grace Schnabl's versatility was evident as she contributed to a second-place finish in the 800-yard freestyle relay at 7:47.15 and placed eighth in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 53.72.

Women's Dive saw Jordan Kuhn was the Blugold women's highest scoring diver placing 15th in both the 1 meter and the 3 meter. 

Team Summary
- The Blugolds took second place in the Women's 200 Yard Medley Relay with a time of 1:46.56, featuring Erika Schroeder, Amber Winter, Abby Voelker, and Schnabl.
- In the Women's 800 Yard Freestyle Relay, UWEC finished second, posting a time of 7:47.15, with contributions from Schnabl, Schroeder, Anwen B. Smith, and Hosack.
- The team achieved second place in the Women's 400 Yard Medley Relay, clocking in at 3:53.74, with Schroeder, Winter, Plonis, and Schnabl.

Up next, Blugold swim and dive heads to De Pere for a dual with St. Norbert College on Saturday, January 17th

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