Women's Swimming & Diving kicks off 2011 season with win against Blue Streaks

By: Monique Bowman

ADA — The Ohio Northern women's swimming and diving team opened up the 2011 season in dominating fashion with a 177-65 win over OAC rival John Carroll on Saturday afternoon at the ONU Sports Center.

The Polar Bears kick off the season 1-0 overall and 1-0 in the OAC, while the Blue Streaks move to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in the league.

"It was a great season opener. We had a lot of strong showings from our athletes, especially our freshmen who stepped up," head coach Peggy Ewald commented. "We have a few things to work on but it's great to see our hard work in the preseason finally be put to use. I'm proud of how we've started."

Northern claimed the top spot in 12 of 13 events, with senior Michelle Eggers earning two wins. She led the way in the 500 Free, finishing in 5:26.48 and also took the 1000 Free in 11:05.75, more than 10 seconds ahead of John Carroll's Rachael Libertin.

Junior Amy Elmer also won twice, sweepign the diving events. She won the 1-meter diving with 225.70 points and the 3-meter diving with 206.45 points.

In addition to her second place finish in the 500 Free (5:31.99), sophomore Lindsey Rayhill recorded a first place finish in the 100 Fly in 1:01.19.

Freshman Taylor McCabe had a strong showing in her first collegiate meet, taking the top spot in the 200 I.M. in 2:15.52. She also placed third in the 500 Free.

Sophomores Kasey Manko and Jennifer Hartsel took the first and second spots in the 100 Brest in 1:09.68 and 1:14.65, respectively.

Also notching a first-place spot was junior Mackenzie Hoffman in the 100 Free; she finished in 56.04. Senior Alison Garbash took first in the 50 Free in 25.77.

Freshman Ashley Zoeller notched her first collegiate career win in the 200 Free in 2:04.50.

Relays also proved successful for Northern as Manko, Hoffman, Rachael Aufdenkampe and Cait Munro combined for the win in the 200 Medley in 1:53.03.

Hoffman also teamed up with Zoeller, Garbash and freshman Erin Adkins for the win in the 200 Freestyle Relay in 1:46.16.

The Polar Bears are in action again Friday when the team heads to Wilmington for a 6 p.m. contest.