As songs from The Hangover soundtrack blared over the loudspeakers, the Ohio swimming and diving team started its journey after the emotional hangover from last year’s Mid-American Conference championship with an intra-squad scrimmage.
The green team defeated the white team 119.5-104.5 in the meet. Coach Greg Werner said he was impressed with his veterans and freshmen stepping up.
“I saw a lot of good things today, no doubt about it, but I saw a lot of things we need to improve upon,” Werner said. “But that’s what I expect for the first competition of the year.”
Freshman Haleigh Bartlett came in first in 1-meter and 3-meter diving. Freshman Tori Bagan finished first in the 100-meter breaststroke and finished second in the 100-yard freestyle and 50-yard freestyle. Senior Abby Corcoran finished first in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle.
Senior Kristen Witham, co-captain of the green team with Corcoran, liked her team’s performance.
“All across the board we were really close. The races weren’t really a wash,” Witham said. ”It shows a lot of depth, which is really exciting especially for the first meet out.”
White team captain Petra Chomicz was not discouraged by the results.
“I know the final results weren’t as close as maybe we would have liked, but we still had some really great performances from everyone on both teams. It was really encouraging to see,” she said.
Werner said that a 12th MAC title is not just going to be handed to the Bobcats.
“That’s part of being the defending champions: You have the bull’s eye squarely on your back,” he said.
The Bobcats will be able to improve with more time in the pool before they travel to Bowling Green Oct. 28 and Eastern Michigan the following day.
“Bowling Green’s very talented, and going to their pool we’re going to have to be ready,” Werner said.
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