Dec. 4, 2009
AKRON, Ohio - It was a very good first day of competition at the Akron Invitational for Ohio Swimming in Diving. At the end of the first day, the Bobcats (3-2, 2-2 Mid-American Conference) are in first place with 427 points. The `Cats relied on solid performances across the board--including six season-best times--to finish ahead the 12 other teams on Friday.
The Akron Invitational began with the 200 Free Relay, which was won by the Ohio University "A" team of Chelsey Bower (Bethel Park, Pa.), Lauren Funk (Springfield, Oh.), Abby Corcoran (Tucson, Ariz.) and Annie Donovan (Findlay, Oh.). The team swam a 1:34.74 and took an important 64 points by grabbing first place in the relay. The other Ohio relay team did quite well too, finishing 10th overall with a 1:39.66 to get 34 points. This team consisted of Ashley Poitinger (Akron, Oh.), Katey Brooks (North Royalton, Oh.), Allison Schaefer (Medina, Oh.) and Kristyn Repke (Cary, N.C.).
"They set the tone for the evening," said head coach Greg Werner. "We've had a strong relay all year long and they continued that trend today."
A tandem of Bobcats finished well in the 500 Free, as Stacey Huber (Gainesville, Fla.) and Sarah Owen (Porstmouth, England) finished 9th and 10th respectively. Huber finished with a season-best 5:03.66, gaining 20 points for the Green and White. Owen was not far behind with her 5:07.89, netting another 17.
The 50 Free was a very successful event for Ohio, as four separate swimmers achieved season-bests. Bower swam a 23.67 and finished fourth, gaining 26 points for the Bobcats. Donovan finished right behind her with a 23.78 to earn fifth place. Funk came in sixth, earning 24 points with her 23.82. Corcoran and Brooks finished in 20th and 21st, respectively, and Corcoran's 24.66 was a season-best.
"The sprint group has performed very well," said Werner. "Brian Peresie is our sprint coach and he does a great job with them. They've put together some great times and had some nice finishes."
The Bobcats did a solid job in the 200 IM, as Petra Chomicz (King's Lynn, England) finished with a season-best 2:10.48 to grab 11th place. Amanda Traylor (Los Alamitos, Calif.) was right behind her with a 12th place finished that earned 15 points for Ohio.
In addition to its performance in the lanes, Ohio did a great job on the diving boards as well. Lindsay Hamilton (White City, Saskatchewan) finished in second place with her 281.65 score. Not far behind her was MaryRose Hillstrom (Dimondale, Mich.) with a score of 263.55 that earned her fourth place.
The preliminary events on Saturday (day two of three) will begin at 9 a.m. and will culminate with the finals in the evening.
