The University of Minnesota women’s swimming and diving team defeated the University of Wisconsin tonight 179-121 in Madison, Wis. The Golden Gophers won 9 out of 16 events to open their 2009-10 season. Sophomores Kelci Bryant, Ashley Steenvoorden and Kristen Steenvoorden all had two individual victories.
 
Bryant swept the diving events with victories in the 1-meter diving event with a score of 323.22 and the 3-meter diving event (374.10). Her score in 3-meter was an NCAA-qualifying score.

The Steenvoorden sisters also had two individual event victories. Ashley won the 1000 free in 9:56.55 and the 200 free in 1:50.62, while Kristen won the 500 free in 4:53.32 and the 200 individual medley in 2:06.52. Kristen also finished behind her sister in the 200 free, while Ashley came in second behind Kristen in the 500 free.

Junior Jillian Tyler won the 100 breaststroke in 1:01.68, giving the Gopher swimmer an NCAA B-qualifying time. Also winning individual events were junior Molly Belk in the 200 butterfly (2:02.69) and junior Kaylee Jamison in the 100 butterfly (55.85)

The University of Minnesota women’s swimming and diving team travels to Iowa City, Iowa next Friday to face Iowa at 5 p.m.