UT Sets Five Personal Records on Day Two of MAC Championships

Thursday, February 28

Akron, Ohio / Ocasek Natatorium

All Day

University of Toledo

Mid-American Conference

Freshman Joelle Gallais became the first Rocket to reach the 1-meter finals since 2013.

Photo by: Will Edmonds

UT Sets Five Personal Records on Day Two of MAC Championships

2/28/2019 10:36:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving

Day Two Results

Akron, Ohio - The Toledo women's swimming and diving team wrapped up day two of the Mid-American Conference championships today. The Rockets saw five personal records broken in the morning prelims, sent freshman diver Joelle Gallais to the evening 1-meter finals, and set a season-best time in the 200 freestyle relay.

In total, the Rockets competed in the 500 freestyle, 200 IM, 50 freestyle, 1m dive and 200 free relay.

"Individually I think it went well," head coach Jonas Persson said. "Everyone swam good races, and it's nice that we had some personal bests and some season bests. Joelle finishing in the top-eight is great for a freshman too. I think looking at individuals overall it was a good day, we just didn't make it far enough to score some points."

Freshman Jovana Duric was the first to record a PR. Duric finished the 500 free in 4:56.69, a 2.71 second improvement. Freshman Lauren Wegener followed in the 200 IM, setting a new PR after tapping in at 2:08.70, a 1.55 second improvement.

A trio of Rockets set PRs in the 50 free. Freshman Sophie Taylor stopped the clock at 23.87 (a 0.66 second improvement), sophomore Jordyn Polderman finished in 24.09 (a 0.66 improvement), and senior Bailey Cahill wrapped up in 24.15 (a 0.42 improvement).

In the 1m prelims, Gallais took eighth after scoring a 247.35, and she went on to finish eighth in the finals with a score of 249.15. While neither of her scores were PRs, Gallais is the first diver since Nicki Schropp in 2013 to make an appearance in the 1m finals for UT. Schropp took 16th overall (B finals) with a score of 260.95.

"I'm really happy and proud for how she did," divining coach Gabby Agostino said. "It's good to see her put a full list together and be as consistent as she was today. Her reaching the finals is really important because I really want to build up the team and have a bigger team and have better divers every year, so it's great to see her succeed."

Toledo's final event of the day was the 200 free relay where Taylor, junior Bec Welke, Polderman and sophomore Lisa Eriksson finished in a season-best 1:34.20, shaving almost a full second off their previous time.

The Rockets return to action tomorrow morning at 10:30 with the 400 IM.

Team Rankings Through Day Two
1. University of Akron 319
2. Eastern Michigan University 221
3. University at Buffalo 199
4. Miami University (Ohio) 173
5. Bowling Green State Univ. 125
6. Ohio University 121
7. Ball State University 87
8. University of Toledo 61

Individual Toledo Results
500 free
19. Jovana Duric - 4:56.69 - PR
27. Samantha Ekleberry - 5:01.51
33. Gracie Storm - 5:08.89

200 IM
22. Alida Ramden - 2:05.43
31. Lauren Wegener - 2:08.70 - PR
33. Maureen O'Sullivan - 2:09.03
34. Ally Sperring - 2:09.44

50 freestyle
20. Lisa Eriksson - 23.56
26. Sophie Taylor - 23.87 - PR
31. Bec Welke - 23.93
34. Jordyn Polderman - 24.09 - PR
35. Bailey Cahill - 24.15 - PR
42. Ashley Jeffreys - 24.55
43. Duda Sales - 24.59

1-meter Dive
8. Joelle Gallais - 1-meter, 249.15
20. Sydney Jackson - 218.65
30. Elayna Yoskovich - 160.65

200 Free Relay
8. Sophie Taylor, Bec Welke, Jordyn Polderman, Lisa Eriksson - 1:34.20 - Season Best