Senior Allison Lohnes leads Women's Swimming and Diving past Wilmington 140-61

By Ashley Birchmeier

WILMINGTON — The Ohio Northern women's swimming and diving team, led by senior Allison Lohnes, defeated Wilmington Friday evening 140-61 at the Wilmington Natatorium.

The Polar Bears improve to 1-0 overall and 1-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, while Wilmington falls to 0-2, 0-2.

Northern claimed the top spot in 10 of the 12 events.

Lohnes claimed first place finishes in the 100-meter IM in 1:09.93, 100-meter backstroke in 1:10.32, and teamed up with sophomore Sydney Veon, freshman Kierra Watson and junior Jill Chapman to win the 200-meter medly relay in 2:07.10.

""We were excited to open our OAC season against the Quakers," ONU head coach Peggy Ewald said. "It's a great environment when you can race against a team who matches up with good character. We got to see where our freshman will grow and where we need to continue work."

Also claiming first place finishes were Veon in the 50-meter freestyle in 28.59, junior Emily Uhrin in the 200-meter freestyle in 2:18.94 and the 100-meter freestylein 1:04.66, junior Brianna Tingley in the 800-meter freestylein 10:26.70, freshman Alyson Rohrer in the 100-meter butterfly in 1:13.95 and sophomore Hailee Sautter in the 400-meter freestyle in 5:01.59.

The relay team of Rohrer, junior Molly Wheeler, Watson and Uhrin also claimed a first place finish in the 200-meter freestyle relay in 1:58.55 and the team of freshman Julia Heenan, freshman MacKenzie Kaschalk, freshman Kaitlin Rubottom and Tingley claimed second in 2:10.34.

The Polar Bears return to action tomorrow as they host John Carroll at the ONU Sports Center Natatorium at 1 pm.