Ball State University Athletics
Women?s Swim & Dive Hosts Conference Opponent Akron
October 30, 2014 | Women's Swimming and Diving
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State women's swimming and diving team will open the 2014 season at home with Mid-American Conference action against Akron. The event begins Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Lewellen Aquatic Center.
Ball State is coming off of a tough MAC opening weekend at Bowling Green where they finished with a score of 103.5 to the Falcon's 196.5, but they were ultimately able to cinch four event wins.
Junior diver Madie Zirzow earned two individual event wins in both the one and three meter dives, posting scores of 268.05 and 260.10, respectively. Zirzow turned in pool records on both the one and three meter dives and led the way by posting a zone qualifying score on the one meter. The Fort Wayne, Ind. native was named the MAC Swimmer of the Week on Oct. 27.
The Cardinals clenched the 400 freestyle relay by the combination of seniors Jordan VanWinkle, Elaine Pitsas, Carlena Magley and sophomore Jessica Extine for a finished 3:33.47 at the Bowling Green meet. VanWinkle rounded out the first place Ball State finishes with a 5:05.97 time in the 500 freestyle, with her next closest competitor five seconds behind, in addition to her second place finish in the 200 freestyle at 1:54.22.
Akron, the defending MAC champion, was picked to finish second in the conference for the upcoming season, according to the preseason coaches' poll, behind MAC runner-up Miami (ranked first).
Last weekend, the Zips dropped their season opener at home against Buffalo with a score of 155-145. While they captured 10-of-16 events, they were unable to come back due to Buffalo taking at least two of the top three spots in 13-of-16 events.
Notable events included an Akron win in the 200 medley relay, with the team of Ashley Niznik, Amanda Lawson, Erin Seiler and Taylor Hart, edging Buffalo's A team by .31 seconds. Luka Szynal took two first place finishes in both the 100 and 200 backstroke, while Lawson and Seiler did the same in their respective events.
The Zips were able to sweep both the one and three meter diving events over Buffalo with Alice Hottensmith leading the way with scores of 241.27 and 267.60.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's swimming and diving action, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateWSwim on Twitter.
