MAC Championships: Akron Opens with Two Pool Records and Two Championships

Wednesday, February 23

Bowling Green, Ohio

6:30 pm

University of Akron

Mid-American Conference

MAC Championships: Akron Opens with Two Pool Records and Two Championships

February 23 | Women's Swimming & Diving

MAC Championships: Akron Opens with Two Pool Records and Two Championships
Follow Akron Swimming and Diving on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Akron Zips opened the 2022 Mid-American Conference Swimming and Diving Championships with two pool records and a pair of gold medal performances as Bowling Green hosts at the at BGSU's Cooper Pool.

Opening night featured two championship events and the Zips won both. Akron opened the league finale by tying the 2016 MAC 200-yard medley relay pool record set by Akron's Madison Myers, Hannah Raspopovich, Sadie Fazekas and Ashley Niznik. The 2022 team flew to a 1:37.28 time as sophomore Madelyn Gatrall (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) led-off with a 24.68 backstroke time followed by a 27.61 breaststroke by senior Paula Garcia (Madrid, Spain) and 22.96 butterfly leg from junior Sarah Watson (Winnipeg, Manitoba), while senior Sofia Henell (Linkoping, Sweden) brought it home with a 22.03 time for Akron's first win.

Akron followed with another pool record setting performance in the 800-yard freestyle relay (7:07.09) as Watson was the lead with a 1:45.18 time, junior Weronika Gorecka (Wroclaw, Poland) posted a 1:47.09 time, junior Victoria Kaufman (Westminster, Md.) added a 1:48.21 ledger and senior Paulina Nogaj (Radom, Poland)stopped the timer with a 1:46.61 time. In addition, Watson's time of 1:45.18 stands as a new Akron program record.

The MAC season finale continues on Thursday, Feb. 23 with prelims at 10:30 a.m. and finals at 6:30 p.m. Fans can follow the action on ESPN3 or via live results on GoZips.com

Admission for the MAC Championships is $40 for adults all-session passes, $20 seniors and youth (3-17) all-session passes. A single session passes are $12 for adults and $7 for seniors and youth. Follow the link to purchase tickets online: The 2021-22 MAC Championships. You can also purchase passes at the door. Regardless of vaccination status, all guests, staff, and vendors will be required to wear a face covering while in the Cooper Pool.

2022 MAC Women's Swimming & Diving Championships Schedule
February 23-26 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Hosted by Bowling Green State University

Thursday, February 24: Preliminaries Session
9:30 a.m. Doors Open to the General Public
10:20 a.m. Competition Pool Cleared
10:30 a.m. 500 yard Freestyle
10 minute break
200 yard Individual Medley
10 minute break
50 yard Freestyle
10 minute break
*Time Trials*

3:00 p.m. 1-Meter Prelims
4:15 p.m. or immediately following Prelims- Consolation Diving Final 1-Meter

Thursday, February 24: Finals (*Approximate starting times)
5:30 p.m. Doors Open to the General Public
6:30 p.m. Consolation Final Heat – 500 yard Free
6:42 p.m.* Championship Heat – 500 yard Free
6:53 p.m.* Consolation Final Heat – 200 yard IM
7:02 p.m.* Championship Heat – 200 yard IM
7:10 p.m.* Consolation Final Heat – 50 yard Free
7:17 p.m.* Championship Heat – 50 yard Free
7:45 p.m.* 1-Meter Diving Finals
8:25 p.m.* Championship Heat – 200 Freestyle Relay
8:35 p.m.* *Time Trials*