FULL RESULTS
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio –
The BGSU swim & dive team showcased an impressive performance at their first home dual meet of the season, decisively beating the Hillsdale Chargers from Division II with a commanding score of 228.5 to 55.5. This dominant display marked a significant early season achievement for the Falcons, who won all but one of the events contested and secured the top three finishes in eight individual swimming categories.
The excitement kicked off as Alexandra Johnson, Alyse Sorg, Riley McNichols, and Emily McNicol joined forces in the 200-medley relay, clinching victory with a remarkable time of 1:46.90, setting the tone for the rest of the meet.
In a noteworthy moment, Lourdes Manderfield, swimming the mile for the first time this season, captured the gold medal with an impressive time of 17:45.00, while teammate Morgan Sokol placed third with a solid finish of 18:05.80.
Reigning MAC Swimmer of the Week, Samia Becdach, showcased her outstanding talent by winning the 200 freestyle in a swift 1:52.50. Teammates Taylor Devorace (1:53.16) and Ava Vial (1:55.12) ensured a powerful showing, finishing in second and third place, respectively.
In the 50-yard events, the Falcons dominated the backstroke with Alexandra Johnson (27.35) and Lily Kaiser (28.46) taking the top two spots, while Grace Perlberg (31.00), Madison Bond (31.25), and Abigail Dolliver (31.65) completed a clean sweep in the breaststroke, highlighting the team’s depth in talent.
Fabiana D’Ambrogio (57.32) and McNichols (57.64) excelled in the 100 butterfly, achieving the top two finishes, while McNicol (24.21), Sierra Newton (25.05), and Devorace produced a triumphant 1-2-3 finish in the competitive 50 freestyle.
The Falcons maintained their momentum, sweeping the podium again in the following three events: McNicol (52.97) won the 100 freestyle, Becdach (58.92) claimed victory in the 100 backstroke, and Perlberg (1:06.08) finished first in the 100 breaststroke.
In the 500 freestyle, Blanca Sanz (5:12.23) and Manderfield (5:14.99) rounded out the top finishes, securing second and third places. BGSU once again dominated, achieving a 1-2-3 finish in the 50 butterfly with Becdach (26.48) leading the charge.
Wrapping up individual events with flair, Ava Vial (4:29.37) secured a first-place finish in the 400 IM. Adding to the excitement, the quartet of Becdach, Devorace, McNichols, and Karina Solera concluded the meet on a high note by triumphing in the 200-freestyle relay with a swift time of 1:38.30.
In diving, Elise Snyder displayed exceptional skills, qualifying for NCAA Diving Zones in both the one and three-meter events with impressive scores of 289.5 and 307.35, respectively. Notably, Snyder’s score of 307.35 marked the first time she has surpassed 300 points in a diving event. Additionally, Evie Long secured a spot at Zones in the one-meter event with a commendable score of 281.70.
Up Next
The Falcons will head to Cleveland State’s Magnus Cup Invitational from November 21-23, which will serve as their final meet of the calendar year.
**Interview with BGSU Swim & Dive Coach Maria Collins following the team’s victory over Hillsdale**
**Editor:** Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Coach Collins. First, congratulations on an impressive win against Hillsdale! How does it feel to see your team perform so well in their first home meet of the season?
**Coach Collins:** Thank you! It feels absolutely fantastic. The energy from the team and the crowd was incredible. We’ve put in a lot of hard work during training, so to see that translate into such a strong performance today is really rewarding.
**Editor:** The team won all but one event and had multiple top-three finishes. What do you think made the difference in this meet?
**Coach Collins:** I believe it was a combination of factors. The swimmers came in with a positive mindset and a competitive spirit. Everyone was really focused and motivated to support each other throughout the meet. Plus, our relay team set a great tone early on, which I think boosted everyone’s confidence.
**Editor:** Alex Johnson, Alyse Sorg, Riley McNichols, and Emily McNicol had an outstanding performance in the 200-medley relay. How important are relays in setting the stage for individual events?
**Coach Collins:** Relays are critical, not just for points, but also for team morale. They create a sense of camaraderie and energy that can carry over to individual races. The way they swam today set the standard for the meet—it’s a real testament to their teamwork and preparation.
**Editor:** Lourdes Manderfield had a standout performance in the mile. Swimming that event for the first time this season and clinching gold is no small feat. What can you tell us about her race?
**Coach Collins:** Lourdes’s race was incredible. For her first mile of the season, she executed her pace perfectly. She’s been working hard in practice, and it really showed today. We’re proud of her for stepping up and taking the gold alongside Morgan Sokol, who also had a solid performance.
**Editor:** Samia Becdach continues to impress, winning the 200 freestyle after being named MAC Swimmer of the Week. How has she progressed this season?
**Coach Collins:** Samia has really stepped into a leadership role this season. Her training has been consistent, and she’s pushing herself to the next level. Winning that 200 freestyle today was a testament to her dedication and her ability to handle pressure. She’s certainly become a key swimmer for us.
**Editor:** with such a strong start to the season, what are your expectations moving forward?
**Coach Collins:** This win is a great confidence booster, but we know there’s still a long season ahead. We need to keep refining our techniques, work on our starts and turns, and maintain our conditioning. Our ultimate goal is to prepare well for the MAC Championships later in the season. This team has a lot of potential, and I’m excited to see where it takes us!
**Editor:** Thank you so much for your insights, Coach Collins. Best of luck for the rest of the season!
**Coach Collins:** Thank you! We appreciate your support. Go Falcons!
