Akron Rolls to MAC Championship Behind Abby Daniel
Following four days of racing, the Akron Zips seized their fourth straight women’s MAC championship over the weekend. The Zips beat out both Ohio and Miami (Ohio), scoring 726.5 points to their 637.5 and 623, respectively.
Wednesday
The meet began with a bang, as the Ohio Bobcats shattered a record in the 200 medley relay(1:36.98) with a team of Allie Schrank, Casadie DiBetta, Zita Szoke, and Caroline Dunigan getting the team out to a hot start. The Zips battled back, however, with a team of Dominika Kossakowska, Helena Lalkovic, Rebecca Reid, and Maddy Gatrall rolling to a 7:10.41 in the 800 free relay.
Thursday
Akron picked up where it left off on Day Two, with junior Elle Couture taking home the 500 freestyle (4:50.44) and senior Abby Daniel winning the 200 IM (1:56.04). Daniel’s IM was both a pool and championship record. The drama continued as Ball State’s Payton Kelly and Ohio’s Zita Szoke tied to break the women’s 50 free record, coming in at 22.23. Buffalo’s Presley Dorsett won the 1-meter diving with a score of 312.05, giving the Bulls their first win. Akron finished the night off with another win, breaking the pool record in the 400 medley relay with a team of Gatrall, Claire Cox, Daniel, and Adrianna Szwabinska(3:31.71).
Friday
Friday began with another win for Daniel, as she took the 100 fly in 51.67. Ohio’s Gabby McKee then beat out Buffalo’s Bella Forsman by just 0.43 to win the 400 IM, coming in at 4:16.17. Szoke got her revenge over Kelly in the 200 freestyle, setting a pool and championship record at 1:44.74. Ohio then went 1-2 in the 100 breast, with DiBetta and Julia Strine finishing strong (59.81,1:00.53). Dibetta set a pool record. Miami got on the board with its first win as Madeline Padavic won the 100 backstroke in 51.52. The effort set both a pool and championship record. The night finished with another pool record as Daniel, Szwabinska, Aislinn Holder, and Hannah Trainer won the 200 freestyle relay for Akron (1:28.62).
Saturday
Saturday began with the meet’s mile session, as Miami’s Casey Stephens gave the team its second win (16:45.72). The momentum carried as the Redhawks’ Chrisina Bezuidenhout won the 200 back to kick off the night session (1:54.59). Szoke then collected her third individual win, this time in the 100 freestyle, setting a pool, championship, and conference record at 47.89. Ohio’s DiBetta won the 200 breast over teammate Strine(2:10.99 to 2:11.91), while Daniel collected her third individual win in the 200 fly (1:56.67). Both were pool records. Mari Kwak enabled Buffalo to sweep the diving with a win in the 3-meter, scoring 329.25 points. The Zips sealed their championship with a 400 free relay win, thanks to the team of Felicia Klintemar, Trainer, Szwabinska, and Daniel.
Daniel took home the meet’s Most Outstanding Swimmer award, as well as the award for Most Outstanding Senior. Felicia Klintemar won Freshman Swimmer of the Year. Mason Norman of Ohio won Swimming Coach of the Year, while Russ Dekker of Buffalo was the Diving Coach of the Year. Mari Kwak of Buffalo won Most Outstanding Diver, while Megan Lupa of Eastern Michigan took home Freshman Diver of the Year.
Final Women’s Team Standings
- University of Akron- 726.5
- Ohio University- 637.5
- Miami University(Ohio)- 623
- University at Buffalo- 567.5
- Ball State University- 305.5
- Bowling Green State University- 254.5
- Eastern Michigan University- 215
- University of Toledo- 175.5
