By: Stephen Wagner @GBswags14

GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The Green Bay swimming and diving teams opened their 2014-15 seasons on Saturday afternoon, taking on Oakland in a Horizon League dual meet at the Peter F. Dorschel Natatorium. Although the Phoenix was defeated by Oakland on both the men's and women's sides, the teams turned in some strong performances.

“We faced a strong Oakland team today,” said head coach Jim Merner. “Overall, I'm very pleased with the way both teams looked, and I'm excited to see what the rest of the season has in store for us.”

Senior Ryan Korslin (Rudolph, Wis.) claimed the first win of the day for the Phoenix after placing first in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 59.19. Joining Korslin with a victory of his own, Ben Loeffelholz (Dubuque, Iowa) out-touched Oakland's Thomas Kiviloma to win the 50-yard free with a time of 21.47. Freshman diver Michael Klemm (Rockford, Ill.) had a strong showing in his first collegiate meet and won the 3-meter diving event with a total score of 281.93. Junior Willem Poelmans (Hasselt, Belgium) added his own victory to the team tally after cruising to a win in the 200-yard IM with a time of 1:55.19. The final victory of the day on the men's side came from the 200-yard freestyle relay, which was also the final event of the day. The quartet of Ben Loeffelholz, Zack Parkin (Middleton Wis.), Evan Hill (Jefferson, Wis.), and Casey Murphy (Sun Prairie, Wis.) combined to swim a 1:26.03, winning the relay by over two seconds.

Junior Racheal Weiland (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) looked to be in mid-season form today after winning the 50-yard free with a time of 24.89, out-touching Oakland's Holly Morren by less than two-tenths of a second. The next victory of the meet on the women's side came from sophomore Natalie Neuwirth (Stevens Point, Wis.), who claimed victory in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:10.66. The final victory of the day on the women's side came from the 200-yard freestyle relay, which was constructed with the quartet of Racheal Weiland, Claire Friederick (Lancster, Wis.), Samantha Rottel (New Berlin, Wis.), and Janna Check (Stevens Point, Wis.) who combined to swim a 1:38.93.

Both Phoenix squads return to action next Saturday, welcoming Cleveland State to the Peter F. Dorschel Natatorium at 11:30 a.m.

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