Fourteen Ohio swimmers and divers will compete in their final home dual meet this weekend as the Bobcat men (1-5 overall, 0-3 Mid-American Conference) and women (7-1-1, 3-1-1 MAC) swim against Ball State and the women compete against Miami as well.
Senior Mike Shelby said he is excited about the meet but knows it will be bittersweet as it will be the last time he competes for Ohio at home.
The last couple of meets
we've been doing pretty well he said. We've been getting better and better so hopefully we can continue that and swim well.
Also during the meet against Ball State Saturday, Coach Greg Werner will recognize the senior swimmers and divers.
Werner said he always gets emotional when he talks to the team prior to the meet, knowing it is the last home dual meet for the seniors.
They've (the seniors) been great performers but more so
they've been great leaders and it's something that we truly recognize and respect
he said. You can never replace someone when they graduate
and hopefully you can take some of their qualities -their leadership and their work ethic -and pass it on to the next class.
Diving coach Russ Dekker said he has enjoyed working with seniors Rick Wade and Sarah Smith in his first year at Ohio.
It is kind of sad that those two are seniors this year because we have clicked this year
and we've gotten along really well
and I've seen them improve so much
he said. They've been great divers to have on the team and great leaders being seniors
and they are going to be missed.
Werner said this weekend's meets are a good opportunity for the swimmers to prepare themselves for the upcoming MAC championships.
I think the meets will be challenging
he said. We need to be ready to go and be at the top of our game on the (diving) boards
