Ohio went into the Mid-American Conference Championship last year with a 6-1 conference record and walked away with the 10th title in school history.
This year is not like last year.
Despite being defending champions, Ohio was defeated by three MAC schools in dual meets: Akron, Buffalo and Miami. They open the MAC Championships today at Bowling Green.
We are still the defending champions
said coach Greg Werner. But the fact that three conference schools beat us that took a lot of pressure off.
Last year's experience is helpful, though. Werner knows his team knows how to win.
It's really helpful (winning last year) said senior Ashley Marion. It's an advantage going into knowing that you've done it before.
Marion has been a lock on Ohio's swimming teams since her freshman year. She has won six individual MAC titles, and she was a key swimmer in last year's meet.
She is a tremendous talent
Werner said. She's arguably having the best season of her career
and as a senior
that's the way you want to go out.
Along with Marion, Ohio has three other senior swimmers: Hallie English, Sarah Vaughn and Carine Vieira de Souza. Sending them out with another win is very important to the team, Werner said.
They've meant a lot to us and shown tremendous leadership
he said. They've done so much for our program in the pool and out of the pool that they deserve to walk out of here with another championship.
Going into the meet, Ohio has won its last four dual meets.
(Winning) keeps everyone's attitude positive
Marion said. Everyone's been swimming really well in those dual meets. Everybody's really excited for the MAC's.
Werner is familiar with the position his team is in this year. He led his team to back-to-back MAC titles in 2000 and 2001. That experience not only helps now, but it has helped all year.
Going into this year
we had to look at things a little differently
Werner said. It's a different mind set (being defending champions).
After working all year to reach this point, Marion and her teammates are within reach of their ultimate goal.
Back-to-back
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