Men Beat Wabash, Cardinals Perform Well in Home Opener

Saturday, November 2

2:00 PM

Ball State University

195.5

96.5

Eastern Michigan & Wabash

Men Beat Wabash, Cardinals Perform Well in Home Opener

November 02, 2019 | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving

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MUNCIE, Ind. – In the 2019-20 home opener Saturday afternoon, the Ball State University swimming and diving team competed against Wabash and Eastern Michigan with the men earning a victory and women falling just short.

Ball State's men defeated Wabash by a score of 195.5-96.5 and the women were narrowly edged by Eastern Michigan in a 167-133 decision.

"It was a battle through and through today," said head coach J. Agnew. "The bar was set high for our women to go against a tough Eastern Michigan team and the men had their work cut out for them as well. Our legs are really tired because we've been training really hard, so we'll look forward to getting some rest and bouncing back against Grand Valley State at our next meet."

The Cardinals were swimming on less than 24 hours rest as they traveled to Eastern Illinois for a meet Friday night. Both the men and women came away with victories at that competition. With Saturday's results the men improved to 2-0 at duels for the season while the women fell to 2-2.

In the 200 Medley Relay to start the day, Ball State got a win on the men's side with Ben Andrew, Jacob Powell, Bryce Handshoe and Owen Chaye clocking in at 1:34.91. Zachary Moody followed up that victory with a win of his own in the 1,000 Free (10:18.07).

The first win of the day on the women's side came in the 100 Breast when Alex Bader claimed first with a time of 1:05.20. Apsara Sakbun added another one in the 100 Free (53.12) not long after.

"Alex has turned into a rock star for us in the 100 Breast," Agnew said of Bader's performance. "Apsara has been fantastic as well. She's absolutely swimming her heart out right now."

Diving was a strong point for the Cardinals Saturday afternoon as Rachel Bertram and Hunter Ongay swept wins on both boards. Ongay recorded a career best on the 1M (267.30) and also won the 3M with a score of 260.65. Bertram scored a 281.65 on 3M and 269.30 on 1M in victories. Her performance on 1M was a season best.

Trey Matheis also got in on the career day for the divers with a personal best of 198.55 on 3M, good for third place. Caitlin Locante scored a season best on 3M (268.40) in a second place effort, and freshmen Wyatt Blake and Madison Gatzlaff earned career bests on both boards.

The day ended strong for the Cardinals as Alexa McDonald, Peighton Gilbert, Anne Vormohr and Sakbun recorded a victory in the 200 Free Relay. Their time of 1:36.61 was good for first place and BSU also claimed second in the event.

Ball State now takes a two week break as its next meet is November 16 against Grand Valley State.

For all the latest on Ball State swimming and diving, follow @BallStateSwim on Twitter and visit BallStateSports.com.