OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami women’s swimming and diving team goes for their 18th conference title this weekend at the Mid-American Conference Championships being held at Cooper Pool in Bowling Green, Ohio from Wednesday, Feb. 24, through Saturday, Feb. 27. On Wednesday, the 200-yard medley and 800-yard free relays will be ran. On the remaining days, the preliminary heats will start at 11 a.m. with the consolation and championship heats beginning at 7 p.m.
The RedHawks enter the MAC Championships after being chosen by the league office to finish third at the beginning of the season. Miami comes in with a 4-5 overall dual meet record this season and a 2-3 record in MAC dual meet competition.
Miami last won the MAC title during the 2012-13 season, making it the 17th championship in team history. Akron came out on top last season and was picked to win again by the conference.
The cost of attendance will be $7 for a single session or $25 for the entire championship for adults. Students K-12 can purchase tickets for $5 per session or $15 for an all-sessions pass, while MAC students with a valid ID and children five and under will be given free admission. Doors will open to the public one hour prior to the first event of each session, with ticket sales beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday night.
Meet the Competition
Akron: The favorites to win the MAC have gone 6-1 in dual meets and 4-1 in the MAC. Their only loss was to Eastern Michigan, who were picked to finish the conference in second. The Zips top performer is junior backstroke specialist Luka Szynal, who holds Akron’s top time in the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard backstroke.
Ball State: The Cardinals finished 1-6 in dual meets on the season. Their lone win was a 151-149 win over Toledo. One of the top athletes for Ball State is senior diver Madie Zirzow, who took home a MAC Diver of the Week award this season and will be competing in the NCAA Zone Diving meet for the third consecutive year.
Bowling Green: The Falcons have been one of the top teams in the MAC this season, finishing with an overall record of 6-2 and a conference record of 3-1. Their top swimmer is junior free-stylist Victoria Griffin who swam a 26.00 in the 50-yard freestyle on December 7 to qualify for the USA Olympic Trials.
Buffalo: The Bulls are 7-1 on the season with a 3-1 conference record. Their only loss was at the hands of the RedHawks, 170.5-129.5. Senior Jessica Powers returns to the MAC Championships after winning the 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle and 1650-yard freestyle at the event last season.
Eastern Michigan: The Eagles finished 6-1 this season and had a perfect 4-0 MAC record, the only team in the conference to do so. Sophomore Sarah Dombkowski and Freshman Nicole Swartz have the best two times in the conference in the 1000-yard freestyle.
Ohio: The Bobcats finished the season with the 5-4 record with a 1-3 MAC record. Their top swimmer is junior Laura Dawson, who is in the conference top ten best times on the season in five different events.
Toledo: The Rockets finished 2-6 in dual meets and 1-4 in MAC competition. Sophomore Jessica Avery is one of the top Toledo swimmers and currently holds the sixth-fastest time in school history in the 200-yard breaststroke.
2015-16 MAC Women’s Swimming and Diving Coaches’ Preseason Poll
- Akron (8)
- Eastern Michigan
- Miami
- Buffalo
- Bowling Green
- Ohio
- Toledo
- Ball State
MAC Championship: Akron (8)
Last Season’s Results
- Akron- 650
- Eastern Michigan- 555
- Bowling Green- 507
- Buffalo- 477
- Miami- 443
- Ohio- 359.5
- Toledo- 343.5
- Ball State- 170
Swimming news courtesy of Miami Swimming & Diving.