The women's swimming and diving rivalry between Ohio and Miami is unlike any in other sports. Those two teams have been the dominant forces within the Mid-American Conference since the sport was introduced in 1981.
With the exception of the inaugural MAC championship, Miami and Ohio have won all of them. That is 22 banners - 13 for Miami and 9 for Ohio between them.
Ohio coach Greg Werner said the two-decade domination is a little shocking, especially considering there are seven other teams that have a shot each year.
As a coach you expect to overcome any obstacle or challenge to achieve the pinnacle - in this case
winning a conference championship - regardless of what school you're at he said. So it is shocking but not surprising in that once you get your program to a certain level
you tend to get a little momentum going.
When they get together Friday in Oxford for the final dual meet of the season, the athletes will get a last look at what will probably be their best competition once again. Miami is riding a 10-meet winning streak after losing their first of the season to Purdue in November. Both teams stand undefeated in the MAC at 6-0.
Without a doubt
they are the favorite
Werner said. Based on the scores and times they've had this season and based on the scores and times we've done this year
they are a 30 to 40 point favorite. So we have to find a way to make it up.
Ohio's diving team will go up against RedHawk diver Christin Eberst. She has won 34 of her last 44 events including 16 straight this season. Distance freestylers will face the defending MAC champion, Miami's Amy Miranda, in the 500 and 1650.
These are our rivals
and I don't care if you're ranked first or ranked last in the conference
if you can't get up for your rival
you shouldn't be in athletics
Werner said. The fact that we're both ranked first right now just makes it that much more intense.
Men visit Ball State
Saturday, the coaching staff will take off from Miami and the women's meet for Muncie, Ind., for the men's meet against Ball State (7-3 overall, 1-2 MAC).
The two losses in the MAC are deceiving, Werner said.
They're a team that got second last year at the championships
