It's still early in the season.
That could be the theme for the Ohio swimming and diving teams as they head into their next meet against Buffalo today.
The men's side will feature two teams that lost their first matches of the season. Ohio lost to Eastern Michigan, 142-94. Buffalo lost to Miami, 135-107.
Coach Greg Werner said that he's not ready to panic, though. He looks at dual meets as an opportunity to get ready for the Mid-American Conference Championships.
It's one of our goals to get better every competition
whether you had success as a team or as an individual he said.
If you didn't have the success you were looking for you still have to try to improve for every meet.
All MAC teams are invited to the MAC Championship at the end of the season.
One of the interesting match-ups should be seen in the men's diving competition. The Bobcats feature two-time MAC Diver of the Year Robert Krichbaum. Buffalo is led by Patrick Lee.
Arguably Buffalo and Akron have the best divers in the conference so we'll see how we match up
diving coach Rob Bitner said.
Bitner said that Lee plans on winning the MAC Championship this year, but before he does that, he has to come through us.
Krichbaum said all he can do is try to win the match.
In any diving meet
anyone can have a great meet. It's really not a 'said' ordeal in the MAC
he said.
Krichbaum said this meet is a good test for the Bobcats, but the many distractions of the school year can hinder performances.
Meets this early are tough because of tests to worry about
he said. Mental distractions aren't good in a mental sport.
Coaches credit Krichbaum's work ethic on not only his own improvement, but also on the improvement of the entire team.
He's had a lot of success individually
but he's really helped to elevate the program
Werner said.
Fellow divers Rich Wade and Adam Thome have formed a good team with Krichbaum. Both Wade and Thome won their events last Friday.
The guys work well together
Bitner said.
Bitner said the Buffalo divers will provide a good challenge for the Bobcats.
It'll be interesting but definitely nerve wracking.
Ohio begins competition 1 p.m. Friday at the Aquatic Center.
