Akron Passes Toledo, 156-144

AKRON, Ohio, January 28. ON a day where the seniors were honored before the meet, it was the freshmen class that helped carry them out on top as the University of Akron swimming and diving team defeated Toledo 156-144 on Saturday afternoon at the Ocasek Natatorium.

Akron held a slight 124-121 edge heading into the final three events, but UA was able hold off the Rockets as Katie Carter (Euclid, Ohio/Euclid HS) won 3-meter diving with 300.06 points and freshman Lauren Parr (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson HS) won the 200 IM, clocking in at 2:09.24.

On Senior Day, Danielle Beland (Ottawa, Ontatio/St. Peters HS) did not disappoint, as she remained perfect for the season in the butterfly events, winning the 200 with a mark of 2:03.97. She later returned to take honors in the 100 with a time of 57.56.

Kendall Karchner, one of 11 freshman one the Zips, won the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 58:00 to earn nine points for Akron. The Maumee, Ohio (Maumme HS) native returned after the first diving break to win the 200-yard back with a season-best time of 2:04.88 – a mark that ranks second all-time in school history and trails only Michelle Thomas' time of 2:03.15.

Freshman Cathryn Collins (Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head HS) record a win in the 200-yard free with a mark of 1:53.47 and returned to take top honors in the 500-yard free with a time of 5:08.56 Collins also set a new season-best time in the 100-yard free, clocking in at 53:31 to finish in second place.

Freshman Katelyn Lofland (Boise, Idaho/Home Schooled) was victorious in the 1,000-yard freestyle as she completed the course in 10:31.90.

The quintet of Karchner, Melissa Young (North Canton, Ohio/Hoover HS/West Chester [Pa.]), Beland (Ottawa, Ontatio/St. Peters HS) and Collins put together a team-best time of 3:54.21 in the 400-yard medley relay to finish in second place.

The Zips will back in action Feb. 14-17 when they compete at the MAC Championship meet in Ypsilanti, Mich. on the campus of Eastern Michigan University.

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