Saturday, November 7
Muncie, IN
1 p.m.
Ball State University
172
vs
127
Bowling Green
Photo by: Brad Caudill - Ball State Athletics
Women’s Swimming & Diving Tops Bowling Green in #MACtion
November 07, 2020 | Women's Swimming and Diving
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Thanks to another solid all-around performance, the Ball State women's swimming & diving program picked up its second win in as many days with a 172-127 victory over Mid-American Conference rival Bowling Green Saturday afternoon at the Lewellen Aquatic Center.
After opening the season with 13 event wins in a 165-92 victory over Eastern Illinois Friday night, the Cardinals were nearly as dominant the second time out, scoring nine victories to top the Falcons for the first time in dual action since the 2012-13 campaign.
"We're excited about every win, make no mistake," head coach J. Agnew said. "But our focus is always going to be on the MAC Championship at the end of the year. Anytime you get to test yourself against a MAC opponent and come out ahead, however, that gets everyone in the program excited."
Leading the way for Ball State Saturday were sophomores Phoebe Rensink and Apsara Sakbun who picked up a pair of individual victories each. Rensink swept the butterfly events with a 100 time of 58.01 and a 200 clocking of 2:08.39. It was the second straight day Rensink claimed victory in the 200 butterfly, as she opened with a 2:08.18 Friday against EIU.
"Phoebe has been so consistent in practice that we just knew she was ready to bust some fast times," Agnew said. "The way she's finishing her races this year, we're excited to see how far she has come and what the future holds for her."
Sakbun ran her individual win total to four on the weekend, claiming the 50 (24.15) and 100 (52.76) freestyle events against the Falcons. She also swam anchor for the 200 medley relay which opened the meet with a time of 1:46.36 to give the Cardinals some early momentum. Overall, Sakbun had a hand in six of Ball State's 22 event wins over the last two days.
"Apsara is on her second go-around as our go-to sprinter," Agnew said. "She just loves to race and gives everything she has until the final yard. Even watching the final relay today, you think you are out of it being two lengths behind, and all of a sudden Apsara brings it within a couple 10ths. That's just how she works."
Three other Cardinals picked up event victories for the second straight day, with junior Katie Walker winning the 1000 freestyle (10:37.91), freshman Sophia Kuehn taking top honors in the 400 IM (4:42.43) and freshman Laura Wright claiming the 200 breaststroke (2:24.20).
In addition, senior Alex Bader earned her first individual victory of the season, winning the 100 breaststroke (1:05.62).
Ball State's divers also saw action for the first time this season, with senior Caitlin Locante turning in a pair of second-place performances on the 1-meter (248.85) and 3-meter (264.00) boards.
In addition to the event victories, the Cardinals claimed 30 total top three finishes, including a 1-2-3 effort in the 400 IM.
"The way we came back on the second day, and raced all out again, was impressive," Agnew added. "It was a battle today and nothing came easy. What I saw out of the team was a lot of fight. This is a tough group of young women that wouldn't give up and wouldn't back down from a challenge."
The results are not the only thing that excited Ball State's third-year head coach, however. He was just as happy with what he saw outside the pool.
"I was the most excited about the way we came together as a team," Agnew concluded. "They haven't been able to be together like they typically are and it's been so hard. To see them come together at a meet, and to listen to the excitement and energy they have not just for their races, but for their teammates. That is what I am most excited about. This is our family, and we are in it together and moving forward together."
The Ball State swimming & diving family will look to return to action at least one more time before winter break. Stay tuned to BallStateSports.com for future schedule updates.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State swimming & diving program follow:
Twitter - @BallStateSwim & @BallStateSports
Instagram - @ballstateswimanddive & @ballstatesports
Ball State Event Winners:
200 Medley Relay - Audrey Schank, Laura Wright, Shelby Crist, Apsara Sakbun - 1:46.36
Katie Walker (Jr.) - 1000 Freestyle (10:37.91)
Alex Bader (Sr.) - 100 Breaststroke (1:05.62)
Phoebe Rensink (So.) - 200 Butterfly (2:08.39) / 100 Butterfly (58.01)
Apsara Sakbun (So.) - 50 Freestyle (24.15) / 100 Freestyle (52.76)
Laura Wright (Fr.) - 200 Breaststroke (2:24.20)
Sophia Kuehn (Fr.) - 400 IM (4:42.43)
Another fun one in the books...
— Ball State Swim & Dive (@BallStateSwim) November 7, 2020
Cardinals win 9 total events on the way to a 172-127 #MACtion VICTORY over Bowling Green.
Phoebe Rensink & Apsara Sakbun (??) w/a pair of individual wins each #ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/xJZuktoQat
After opening the season with 13 event wins in a 165-92 victory over Eastern Illinois Friday night, the Cardinals were nearly as dominant the second time out, scoring nine victories to top the Falcons for the first time in dual action since the 2012-13 campaign.
"We're excited about every win, make no mistake," head coach J. Agnew said. "But our focus is always going to be on the MAC Championship at the end of the year. Anytime you get to test yourself against a MAC opponent and come out ahead, however, that gets everyone in the program excited."
Leading the way for Ball State Saturday were sophomores Phoebe Rensink and Apsara Sakbun who picked up a pair of individual victories each. Rensink swept the butterfly events with a 100 time of 58.01 and a 200 clocking of 2:08.39. It was the second straight day Rensink claimed victory in the 200 butterfly, as she opened with a 2:08.18 Friday against EIU.
"Phoebe has been so consistent in practice that we just knew she was ready to bust some fast times," Agnew said. "The way she's finishing her races this year, we're excited to see how far she has come and what the future holds for her."
Sakbun ran her individual win total to four on the weekend, claiming the 50 (24.15) and 100 (52.76) freestyle events against the Falcons. She also swam anchor for the 200 medley relay which opened the meet with a time of 1:46.36 to give the Cardinals some early momentum. Overall, Sakbun had a hand in six of Ball State's 22 event wins over the last two days.
"Apsara is on her second go-around as our go-to sprinter," Agnew said. "She just loves to race and gives everything she has until the final yard. Even watching the final relay today, you think you are out of it being two lengths behind, and all of a sudden Apsara brings it within a couple 10ths. That's just how she works."
Three other Cardinals picked up event victories for the second straight day, with junior Katie Walker winning the 1000 freestyle (10:37.91), freshman Sophia Kuehn taking top honors in the 400 IM (4:42.43) and freshman Laura Wright claiming the 200 breaststroke (2:24.20).
In addition, senior Alex Bader earned her first individual victory of the season, winning the 100 breaststroke (1:05.62).
Ball State's divers also saw action for the first time this season, with senior Caitlin Locante turning in a pair of second-place performances on the 1-meter (248.85) and 3-meter (264.00) boards.
Through 7 Events:
— Ball State Swim & Dive (@BallStateSwim) November 7, 2020
Ball State - 79
Bowling Green - 51
Now handing things over to our diving squad for a few!!!#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/BzlDb5gait
In addition to the event victories, the Cardinals claimed 30 total top three finishes, including a 1-2-3 effort in the 400 IM.
"The way we came back on the second day, and raced all out again, was impressive," Agnew added. "It was a battle today and nothing came easy. What I saw out of the team was a lot of fight. This is a tough group of young women that wouldn't give up and wouldn't back down from a challenge."
The results are not the only thing that excited Ball State's third-year head coach, however. He was just as happy with what he saw outside the pool.
"I was the most excited about the way we came together as a team," Agnew concluded. "They haven't been able to be together like they typically are and it's been so hard. To see them come together at a meet, and to listen to the excitement and energy they have not just for their races, but for their teammates. That is what I am most excited about. This is our family, and we are in it together and moving forward together."
The Ball State swimming & diving family will look to return to action at least one more time before winter break. Stay tuned to BallStateSports.com for future schedule updates.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State swimming & diving program follow:
Twitter - @BallStateSwim & @BallStateSports
Instagram - @ballstateswimanddive & @ballstatesports
Ball State Event Winners:
200 Medley Relay - Audrey Schank, Laura Wright, Shelby Crist, Apsara Sakbun - 1:46.36
Katie Walker (Jr.) - 1000 Freestyle (10:37.91)
Alex Bader (Sr.) - 100 Breaststroke (1:05.62)
Phoebe Rensink (So.) - 200 Butterfly (2:08.39) / 100 Butterfly (58.01)
Apsara Sakbun (So.) - 50 Freestyle (24.15) / 100 Freestyle (52.76)
Laura Wright (Fr.) - 200 Breaststroke (2:24.20)
Sophia Kuehn (Fr.) - 400 IM (4:42.43)
Players Mentioned
Breast
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Back, Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
IM
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free, Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free, Back
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Back, Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Breast
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