BUFFALO, N.Y. – Junior Izzy Jones set the pace for the Rockets at day two of the 2020 Mid-American Conference Championships in Buffalo on Thursday, taking home the bronze medal in the 500 freestyle. Jones clocked a season-best 4:48.25, beating out fourth place by nearly three seconds.

Interim head coach Brie Globig was pleased with the Rockets' overall performance, which saw them sitting in sixth place with 120 points two days through the four-day meet.

"We had some outstanding performances on day two," said Globig. "Our final swimmers all dropped time and had very strong performances. I am excited for day three and can't wait to see what we do."

Redshirt-freshman Kennedy Lovell clocked a season-best 4:53.36 in the 500 freestyle for 11th place, while Samantha Ekleberry placed 14th at 4:58.35. Freshman Lauren Kilgore had an impressive performance in the 20 IM for the Rockets, placing ninth overall. She clocked a 2:02.68 in the B-final, winning her heat.

The 200 free relay team Lovell, Ashley Jeffreys, Alida Ramden, and Lisa Eriksson clocked a season-best 1:33.31 for sixth place. Lovell's opening leg at 23.43 is the sixth-fastest time in program history in the 50 freestyle.

Action in the championship meet resumes Friday.

2020 MAC Women's Swimming and Diving Championships
Team Standings Through Day Two

1. Akron (295)
2. Buffalo (251.5)
3. Eastern Michigan (178)
4. Miami (143)
5. Bowling Green (128)
6. Toledo (120)
7. Ball State (115)
8. Ohio (97.5)

Toledo Individual Finishes
500 freestyle
3rd – Izzy Jones
11th – Kennedy Lovell
14th – Samantha Ekleberry
29th – Gracie Storm – 5:09.43
 
200 IM
9th – Lauren Kilgore
19th – Alida Ramden – 2:05.60
25th – Ally Sperring – 2:07.71
30th – Sydnee Dressel – 2:08.53
34th – Lauren Wegener – 2:10.29
Emma Sampson – 2:08.64

50 freestyle
20th – Lisa Eriksson – 23.81
28th – Ashley Jeffreys – 24.12
T-29th – Bec Welke – 24.17
34th – Kendra Polewski – 24.54
35th – Ashley Lefever – 24.58
38th – Duda Sales – 24.77
42nd – Lisa Lohner – 24.99
Maureen O'Sullivan – 25.50
 
One-meter dive
21st – Joelle Gallais – 198.90
31st – Lina Alli – 137.28