University of Toledo
OHIO
Toledo Edges Out Ohio in MAC Action, 128-115
11/6/2004 12:00:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
TOLEDO, OH - The University of Toledo women's swimming and diving team edged out Ohio, 128-115, this afternoon in Mid-American Conference action at the UT Student Recreation Center. With the victory, the Rockets improve to 3-0 overall, 2-0 in the MAC.
The Rockets won nine of the 13 events on the afternoon to remain undefeated on the season. Toledo brought a well-balanced attack with six different swimmers winning individual events.
"This was definitely a tough meet today," Toledo Head Coach Lars Jorgensen said. "Ohio is a very talented program. They swam really well, but I thought our girls stepped it up today. Beating Ohio is a great win for our program."
For the second time in as many days, Toledo got out of the gates quickly capturing the 200-yard medlay relay with the team of seniors Jennifer Patterson and Iiris Hilvo, sophomore Makenzie Manard and freshman Elizabeth Hinkleman touching the wall first in a time of 1:49.10.
In the 1650-yard freestyle, freshman Chelsea Perkins continues to swim well winning the event in a time of 17:10.50.
Toledo continued to apply pressure to the Bobcats, taking the top two spots in the 50-yard freestyle, as sophomore Briana Henning (24.63) edged out senior teammate Emily Markovich (24.68).
Manard increased the Midnight Blue and Gold's lead claiming victory in the 200-yard butterfly in a time of 2:06.57.
Toledo looked to have things in hand after sweeping the top three spots in the 100-yard freestyle. Markovich placed first in a time of 53.01, followed closely by freshman Ashley Tremblay in 53.89 and Hinkleman in 54.18.
After eight events, Toledo held a comfortable 87-63 lead. But Ohio refused to go quietly winning the 200-yard backstroke and the 500-yard freestyle to close the margin.
Hilvo gave the Rockets a little breathing room, placing first in the 200-yard breaststroke in a time of 2:21.86.
The Rockets held a slim 117-109 edge with only one event remaining. With the outcome still hanging in the balance heading into the 400-yard free relay, the foursome of B. Henning, Tremblay, freshman Samantha Telljohann and Markovich came through capturing first place in a time of 3:32.75 to seal the victory.
"The difference between winning and losing today was in the relays," Jorgensen said. "I thought our relays swam really well, as did theirs. Everyone on the relays stepped it up and we were able to come out ahead. There was a lot of positive energy from our team, which is great to see."
Freshman Megan McKinley also made another strong showing in the diving well, winning both the 1-meter (252.15 pts.) and 3-meter dives (258.07). McKinley has placed first in all six events in her first three collegiate dual meets.
The Rockets will return to action on Friday, Nov. 12 when they travel South on I-75 to battle arch-rival Bowling Green at 6:00 p.m. in the Sam Cooper Natatorium.
