Thursday, February 27
Buffalo, N.Y.
10 a.m./ 6 p.m.
vs
Mid-American Conference
Szoke Crowned Champion as Ohio Swim and Dive Sits in Third After Day Two at MAC Championships
2/27/2025 8:35:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
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BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Ohio swimming and diving team returned to action on Thursday (Feb. 27) for the second day of the 2025 Mid-American Conference Championships hosted by Buffalo. Sophomore Zita Szoke was crowned a MAC Champion in the 50 free, with the Bobcats sitting in third place with 215.5 points.
Ohio opened the evening finals with the 500-yard freestyle, Senior Gabrielle McKee (Gilbertsville, Pa.) placed a second with a time of 4:51.22. Junior Anna McGrath (Lewis Center, Ohio) earned a sixth-place finish with a time of 4:54.59, while junior Peyton Binns (Hudson, Ohio) placed sixth in the 'B' final and 14th overall, finishing the race with a time of 4:59.73.
Ohio has three more placers in the 200 IM, starting with junior Emily Ellsworth (Westerville, Ohio) who placed fifth with a time of 2:01.88. Junior Morgan Brown (Roanoke, Ind.) followed suit, finishing eighth with a time of 2:04.17, while senior Julia Strine (Shippensburg, Pa.) placed seventh in the 'B' final and 15th overall, touching in with a time of 2:04.25.
The Bobcats sprinted to two top three finishes in the 50 free, starting with Szoke (Hodmezovasarhely, Hungary) who tied for first with Ball State's Payton Kelly, both touching in with a time of 22.23 and sharing the top of the podium. Following right behind them was graduate student Caroline Dunigan (Lansdale, Pa.) who placed third, touching in with a time of 22.45.
In the 1-meter dive, sophomore Astrid Pichardo (Guanajuato, Mexico) earned a second-place finish, recording a score of 262.65. The finish was the highest finish for a Bobcat in the event since 2016.
In the final event of the night, the 400-yard medley relay, the Ohio team of junior Allison Schrank (Blaine, Minn.), junior Casadie DiBetta (St. Clairsville, Ohio), Szoke and Dunigan placed second, finishing with a time of 3:34.28 and earning a new school record, shaving three seconds off the previous mark.
The Bobcats are back in the pool on Friday, Feb. 28 for day three of the 2025 MAC Championships. Prelims are set to begin at 10 a.m. ET, with finals set for 6 p.m. ET. Fans can head to the MAC Championship Central page for links for both streams.
#OUohyeah
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Ohio swimming and diving team returned to action on Thursday (Feb. 27) for the second day of the 2025 Mid-American Conference Championships hosted by Buffalo. Sophomore Zita Szoke was crowned a MAC Champion in the 50 free, with the Bobcats sitting in third place with 215.5 points.
Ohio opened the evening finals with the 500-yard freestyle, Senior Gabrielle McKee (Gilbertsville, Pa.) placed a second with a time of 4:51.22. Junior Anna McGrath (Lewis Center, Ohio) earned a sixth-place finish with a time of 4:54.59, while junior Peyton Binns (Hudson, Ohio) placed sixth in the 'B' final and 14th overall, finishing the race with a time of 4:59.73.
Ohio has three more placers in the 200 IM, starting with junior Emily Ellsworth (Westerville, Ohio) who placed fifth with a time of 2:01.88. Junior Morgan Brown (Roanoke, Ind.) followed suit, finishing eighth with a time of 2:04.17, while senior Julia Strine (Shippensburg, Pa.) placed seventh in the 'B' final and 15th overall, touching in with a time of 2:04.25.
The Bobcats sprinted to two top three finishes in the 50 free, starting with Szoke (Hodmezovasarhely, Hungary) who tied for first with Ball State's Payton Kelly, both touching in with a time of 22.23 and sharing the top of the podium. Following right behind them was graduate student Caroline Dunigan (Lansdale, Pa.) who placed third, touching in with a time of 22.45.
In the 1-meter dive, sophomore Astrid Pichardo (Guanajuato, Mexico) earned a second-place finish, recording a score of 262.65. The finish was the highest finish for a Bobcat in the event since 2016.
In the final event of the night, the 400-yard medley relay, the Ohio team of junior Allison Schrank (Blaine, Minn.), junior Casadie DiBetta (St. Clairsville, Ohio), Szoke and Dunigan placed second, finishing with a time of 3:34.28 and earning a new school record, shaving three seconds off the previous mark.
The Bobcats are back in the pool on Friday, Feb. 28 for day three of the 2025 MAC Championships. Prelims are set to begin at 10 a.m. ET, with finals set for 6 p.m. ET. Fans can head to the MAC Championship Central page for links for both streams.
#OUohyeah
Players Mentioned
Free
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Back/IM
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Breast
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Sprint Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Breast/IM
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free/Breast
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Distance Free/IM/Fly
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Dive
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Back
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Breast/IM
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Sprint Free
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