With back-to-back meets this weekend, the Bobcats will look to capitalize against a couple of reeling opponents.
The Bobcats welcome West Virginia and Ball State to the Aquatic Center Friday and Saturday. The Mountaineers are coming off a lopsided loss to Maryland but defeated Pittsburgh Jan. 7.
This is their last dual meet on the season, with the Big East Diving and Swimming Championships next on the schedule.
Ball State enters the meet having dropped two straight against Mid-American Conference opponents Miami and Toledo the first two losses of the season.
Last year, Ohio beat the Mountaineers in their home pool.
But Werner said Friday’s meet will be different.
“They’re a really good program, and they’ll have some of the best athletes we will see all year,” Werner said.
He also said that he sensed Ball State getting stronger during the MAC Championships last year.
Werner said he is excited for the weekend and expects great competition.
“It’s exactly what I want as a coach leading into the championships and that is to be challenged,” Werner said. “I want us to get punched in the mouth and see what we do.”
This weekend also has a sentimental note for the squad’s seven seniors who will swim in their final home meets.
“Those seven ladies have done so much for us in the pool, out of the pool, not only tremendous performers but probably even more so tremendous leaders and tremendous friends to their teammates,” Werner said.
With the seniors’ final competitions in the Aquatic Center approaching, Werner said he knows the team will step up.
“This is a really special weekend for us, and that’s why I know we’ll perform very well because we always do. We always do well on our senior weekend.”
mk277809@ohiou.edu
UP NEXT:
Ohio vs. West Virginia
5 pm at the Aquatic Center
Jan. 27
Ohio vs. Ball State
1 pm at the Aquatic Center
Jan. 28
