The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
MAC Championships
Swimming and Diving Maintain First-Place Standing on Friday at MAC Championships
February 28 | Women's Swimming & Diving
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Results | MAC Championships Central
GENEVA, Ohio – The University of Akron swimming and diving team remains in first place with 378 points at the 2014 Mid-American Conference Swimming and Diving Championships, following day two at SPIRE Institute. Miami (Ohio) followed Akron in second with 332 points, with Bowling Green in third at 324 points.
The Zips started strong yet again in the second day of competition, as the squad notched a first-place time in the 200 medley relay. The team of Kelsey Ferrante, Kendra Colby, Erin Seiler and Hannah Raspopovich combined for a program record-setting performance at a time of 1:39.69. The previous record of 1:42.80 was set in the 2009-10 season.
"We're doing really well. I think we're performing at our best, and we have a lot of momentum heading into tomorrow," Head coach Brian Peresie said. "The girls did everything they could and took advantage of every opportunity tonight."
Seiler and Colby earned fifth-place times in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke, respectively. Seiler finished at 54.52, while Colby ended the race with a time of 1:02.37. Both times rank second in program history for the events.
Freshman Laura Savariau registered Akron's next top-three time with a second-place finish in the 100 backstroke at a time of 54.21. Savariau's time tops the previous record of 54.85, set in 2009-10. Ferrante and Luka Szynal finished fifth and sixth in the 100 backstroke, respectively.
In the diving pool, the Zips performed exceptionally well in three-meter, sweeping the top three spots for the night. Senior Carla McNamara led the way with a 313.00, which was followed up by sophomore Alice Hottensmith with a close 305.35.
"Our divers have done a great job this entire competition. They've been stepping up and performing well," Peresie said. "Not everything has gone according to plan on the swimming and diving side, but that's the nature of a championship meet."
Freshman Paige Kelkenberg rounded out the top three for three-meter diving with a 269.10. Fellow freshman Rachel Aepelbacher finished two spots behind Kelkenberg with a score of 249.75.
The 800 freestyle relay team of Ashley Drazkowski, Savariau, Ferrante and Taylor Hart capped off the evening with a third-place finish with a final time of 7:23.67, good fourth in program history.
Akron will look ahead to the final day of the MAC Championships on Saturday at SPIRE. Prelims start at 11 a.m., with finals commencing at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
