AKRON, Ohio – The Akron swimming and diving team showcased their dominance by defeating the Bowling Green Falcons with an impressive score of 195-105 during a dual meet held at the Ocasek Natatorium on Friday, November 1. This victory underscored Akron’s formidable prowess in the pool.
In a remarkable performance, Akron secured first place in a total of 11 events against the Falcons, demonstrating their depth and versatility across the competition.
The dual meet commenced with the high-intensity 3-meter dive, where Laurel Smith shone with a commendable second-place finish, earning a score of 272.70, while Paige Bush added to the team’s success by clinching third with a score of 266.40.
In the 200-yard medley relay, the Zips triumphed by taking first and third places. The talented “A” squad, consisting of Abigail Daniel (26.15), Claire Cox (28.93), Callie Parkes (25.18), and Aislinn Holder (23.22), claimed victory with a swift finishing time of 1:43.48. Meanwhile, the “B” team, comprising Felicia Klintemar (27.22), Rebecca Reid (29.34), Hannah Trainer (25.52), and Madelyn Gatrall (23.64), secured third place with a time of 1:45.72.
The Blue and Gold maintained their momentum, achieving first and third in the 1000-yard freestyle when Helena Lalkovic seized first place with a stellar time of 10:32.91, while Alanis Santiago added to the team’s accolades by finishing third in 10:42.09.
In the fiercely contested 200-yard freestyle, Akron dominated by securing first and second places, with Dominika Kossakowska clocking in at 1:52.22 for the win and Elle Couture following closely in second with a time of 1:52.95, showcasing the Zips’ freestyle strength.
The 100-yard backstroke also featured great performances from the Zips, as Gatrall showcased her speed to finish first with a time of 25.44, complemented by Reid’s solid second place in 25.83.
In another highlight, Akron completely dominated the 50-yard breaststroke by capturing the top three spots: Claire Cox finished first with an impressive 29.33, Abigail Daniel followed closely in second at 29.73, and Madelyn Bosler rounded out the trio with a third-place finish at 30.34.
The Zips continued their winning streak as Maggie Patterson secured the top time in the 200-yard butterfly with a swift 2:03.91, proving yet again Akron’s strength across a variety of strokes.
In the competitive 50-yard freestyle, Akron took second through fourth, with Holder clocking in at 23.76 for second, Parkes finishing third at 24.11, and Trainer following closely behind in fourth place with a time of 24.19, demonstrating the team’s depth in sprinting events.
Akron also showcased their diving talents in the one-meter competition, where Elizabeth Noble finished second with a score of 271.80, and Laurel Smith took third with a score of 265.60, solidifying the Zips’ strong presence in both swimming and diving.
The Blue and Gold finished second and third in the 100-yard freestyle, with Brienne Trumpower achieving a time of 52.17 for second and Trainer finishing third at 52.77, maintaining their competitive edge throughout the meet.
In a standout performance, Gatrall shone in the 200-yard backstroke, posting an impressive time of 2:01.77 that secured her the top position. Simultaneously, the Zips dominated the 200-yard breaststroke, claiming second through fourth, led by Daniel with a time of 2:20.56, followed by Cox at 2:20.72, and Bosler at 2:21.51.
Couture and Santiago rallied to take the top two times in the 500-yard freestyle, with Couture finishing strong at 5:00.24 and Santiago following at 5:13.52. The Zips then delivered an outstanding performance in the 50-yard butterfly by sweeping the podium, with Reid finishing first at 25.32, Holder at 25.42 for second, and Klintemar at 25.53 for third.
In the 100-yard individual medley, Reid (56.87), Daniel (56.99), Klintemar (59.19), and Kendall Craig (59.71) showcased exceptional talent by taking the top four spots. The Zips would also claim the top two times in the 200-yard freestyle relay, highlighted by the “A” team’s victory of Gatrall (24.11), Couture (24.36), Holder (23.34), and Trainer (23.34), finishing first with a time of 1:35.15. The “B” team, consisting of Trumpower (23.95), Lalkovic (24.62), Cox (23.88), and Kossakowska (23.89), finished closely behind in second place with a time of 1:36.34.
What’s Next?
The Zips are set to compete at Cleveland State for the prestigious Magnus Cup Invitational, taking place from November 21-23, as they look to build on their triumphant performance against Bowling Green.
**Interview with Akron Swimming & Diving Coach about the Dual Meet Victory Against Bowling Green**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach! Congratulations on the impressive victory against Bowling Green. How does it feel to see the team perform at such a high level?
**Coach:** Thank you! I’m incredibly proud of our team. The swimmers and divers showed remarkable teamwork and determination throughout the meet. It’s rewarding to see our hard work pay off with such a solid win.
**Interviewer:** The team secured first place in 11 events, a fantastic achievement! Which performances stood out to you the most during the meet?
**Coach:** There were several standout performances. I was particularly impressed with our relay teams, especially the “A” squad in the 200-yard medley relay. Their time of 1:43.48 was excellent. Also, Dominika Kossakowska’s victory in the 200-yard freestyle showcased her talent and competitive spirit.
**Interviewer:** The diving events also displayed strong performances. How important is it for both swimming and diving to work cohesively as a team?
**Coach:** It’s crucial. Success in dual meets comes from both swimming and diving events. Our divers, like Laurel Smith and Elizabeth Noble, consistently contribute valuable points. Their performances not only boost team morale but also enhance our overall scores.
**Interviewer:** With such a dominating win, how do you plan to keep the team motivated and focused as the season progresses?
**Coach:** It’s all about maintaining our focus on the small details. We’ll review video footage of our races, celebrate our successes, but also identify areas for improvement. Maintaining a growth mindset is essential, especially as we prepare for tougher competitions ahead.
**Interviewer:** Looking forward, what are your expectations for the team in upcoming meets?
**Coach:** I expect us to continue building on our momentum. We have a talented group, and I believe they can perform even better as we move through the season. Our goal is to be competitive at the conference level, and every meet counts towards that.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach! Best of luck as you continue the season, and congratulations again on a well-deserved victory.
**Coach:** Thank you! I appreciate your support. Go Zips!
