Rockets Set Nine Personal Records on Day 3 of MAC Championships

Friday, March 1

Akron, Ohio / Ocasek Natatorium

All Day

University of Toledo

Mid-American Conference

Junior Duda Sales took eighth in the 100 fly today as Toledo competed in day three of the MAC Championships.

Photo by: Will Edmonds

Rockets Set Nine Personal Records on Day 3 of MAC Championships

3/1/2019 11:23:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving

Day Three Results

Akron, Ohio - The University of Toledo women's swimming and diving team wrapped up day three of the Mid-American Conference Championships today. Day three featured nine new personal records from nine swimmers, and was highlighted by juniors Duda Sales and Maureen O'Sullivan earning spots on the top-8 podium.

"We had a lot of better swims today and I think the whole team stepped up," head coach Jonas Persson said. "We had some season-bests times and a lot of personal-bests times so it was a good day. We have more in the tank but considering the circumstances I think we did really good.

"Heading into the last day I'm hoping that we can continue the momentum and not get too comfortable," Persson added. "I want us to keep on fighting and keep on believing. The last day is always a hard day and you can't just take it for granted, you have to swim with a purpose."

The Rockets started the day hot with impressive swims throughout the morning prelims. Sophomore Emma Sampson set a PR in the 400 IM (4:34.43) followed by Sales who took sixth in the 100 fly and tapped in at a speedy 54.45. Sales was followed by sophomore Alida Ramden who set a new PR of 56.01 in the same event.

The entire 200 free squad went all out in the morning session, with each swimmer setting a new PR. Sophomore Lisa Eriksson kicked things off by beating her previous time by 0.4 seconds, followed freshman Samantha Ekleberry who also took a slim margin off her time. Freshman Jovana Duric rounded out the group with the largest improvement, shaving three seconds off her time.

The 100 breast saw junior Bec Welke break her personal record with a new time of 1:02.53 along with junior Cami Cahill who shed a second off her best time (1:05.39.)

O'Sullivan closed out an exciting morning session with her eighth place finish in the 100 back that granted her a spot in the afternoon finals.

In the evening finals session, Toledo celebrated Welke breaking her 100 breast PR again when she brought her time down to 1:02.11 and touched in at ninth. Welke's success was followed by Sales taking eighth in the 100 fly (54.86) and O'Sullivan wrapping up the 100 back in seventh in 55.40.

Toledo returns for the final day of action tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. with the 200 backstroke prelims.

Team Standings
1. Akron, University of 564
2. Eastern Michigan University 368
3. University at Buffalo 339
4. Miami University (Ohio) 320
5. Ohio University 271
6. Bowling Green State Univ. 209
7. University of Toledo 124
8. Ball State University 122

Toledo Individual Times
Morning prelims
400 IM
21. Ally Sperring - 4:31.46
22. Lauren Wegener - 4:33.74
23. Kristen Straszacker - 4:35.13
XX Emma Sampson - 4:34.43 - PR

100 Fly
6. Duda Sales - 54.45 - PR
14. Sophie Taylor - 55.76
17. Alida Ramden - 56.01 - PR
22. Bailey Cahill - 56.71
30. Cami Cahill - 59.62

200 Free
22. Lisa Eriksson - 1:52.11 - PR
29. Samantha Ekleberry - 1:54.58 - PR
30. Jovana Duric - 1:54. 91 - PR

100 Breast
9. Bec Welke - 1:02.53 - PR
10. Jessica Avery - 1:03.09
24. Cami Cahill - 1:05.39 - PR

100 Back
8. Maureen O'Sullivan - 55.55
19. Ashley Jeffreys - 56.57
20. Kristen Straszacker - 56.90
24. Gracie Storm - 58.46

3m prelims
15. Joelle Gallais - 234.15
26. Sydney Jackson - 196.85
28. Elayna Yoskovich - 183.25

Finals
3m Consolation Finals
5. Joelle Gallais - 251. 95

100 Fly
8. Duda Sales - 54.86
16. Sophie Taylor - 55.90

100 Breast
9. Bec Welke - 1:02.11- PR
11. Jessica Avery - 1:03.15

100 Back
7. Maureen O'Sullivan - 55.40

400 Medley Relay
7. Toledo: Maureen O'Sullivan, Bec Welke, Duda Sales, Lisa Eriksson - 50.63