Next year, when the returning swimmers will be practicing inside the aquatic center, they will be able to look up at a white banner with green lettering, reminding them of their 2008 MAC Championship victory.
It's (winning the MAC Championship) something I'll never forget for the rest of my life
senior captain Ilse Petersen said.
Ohio came from behind in the final two days to capture its 10th conference championship. The Bobcats were third behind Toledo and Eastern Michigan after day one, trailed only Toledo after the second day and took over the lead after day three. Ohio led Toledo by a mere 10 points at the start of the final day before finishing the meet with 679.5 points, defeating the Rockets by 74.
Coach Greg Werner said that he expected the team to get stronger and stronger with each day of events.
We weren't fatigued like other teams in the later days and that really gave us an edge Werner said.
The Bobcats really pulled away in the 200-yard butterfly, as the team posted the top three times and four out of the top six. Freshman Amanda Cecere won the race with a pool record-breaking time of 2:00:01, followed closely by Leah Giancarli (2.00.62) and Rachel Heim (2:00:87). Rachel Kloosterman finished in sixth.
Werner said that the team knew it was going to be a good event. The Bobcats captured 66 points, while Toledo scored none.
(The butterfly swimmers) train with each other on a daily basis
Werner said. It's nice to see their hard work pay off.
Werner attributed this victory to the team's hard training during break and throughout the year. The Bobcats only loss during the regular season came at Toledo.
Toledo earned its win (in November). The team works very
very hard
and it's very satisfying
Werner said.
I was pretty excited for us
senior captain Emily Wylam said. I sat for three years and watched other teams celebrate
and it was finally our turn. It's the perfect way to end.
There were nine MAC records broken at the meet over the 21 events, which made the victory even sweeter for Ohio. Werner attributed the success to the fact that it's an Olympic year.
You could tell it was going to be something special
Werner said.
Along with the MAC records, Ohio broke four school records in the meet.
Werner also was named MAC coach of the year for the third time in his 13-year career.
The team had 10 swimmers who received All-MAC honors, five for first team and five for second team. First team winners were: freshmen Stacey Huber, Cecere, Rachel Heim, Wylam, and junior Ashley Marion. Second team winners were: Petersen, Michaela Hahn-Lawson, Mallory Rico, Giancarli and Amanda Traylor.
Only four of the 10 swimmers will be leaving next year.
We have a very good senior class
and there are big shoes to fill
