Toledo vs. Ball State

MUNCIE, Indiana, October 30. LED by strong performances from junior Jacy Dyer (Lebanon, PA) and sophomore Laura Lindsay (Uniontown, OH), the University of Toledo swimming and diving team held off Ball State 155-143 in the first MAC dual meet of the season. Toledo moved to 4-1 this fall and notched its fourth straight win over the Cardinals. "This was a very good win for us to get and it was a very competitive meet," Lars Jorgensen, head coach, said. "But we still need to get better, develop more depth and get more consistent."

The Rockets raced out to an 81-31 cushion after winning the first six events. Toledo started the meet by taking the top-two spots in the 200 medley relay, highlighted by a first-place performance from sophomore Laura Benevento (Fairfax, VA), junior Katie Jackson (Raleigh, NC), senior Caitlin Cormack (Bedford, OH) and freshman LesLee Winfield (Toledo, OH) in a time of 1:47.27.

Toledo followed with a one-two-three finish in the 1000 freestyle, led by junior Laura Heckroth (Columbus, IN) who touched the wall first in 10:25.03. Junior Kelsey Atchison (Silver Lake, OH) took the 200 free title in a time of 1:53.62 and Dyer finished second, while senior Ashley Cusack (Willow Spring, IL) won the 100 backstroke in 58.05 and Lindsay claimed a win in the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.90.

Ball State rallied with strong showings in the 50 and 100 free, the 200 back and both diving events. But Toledo sealed the victory as Dyer hit the wall first in the 200 IM in a time of 2:10.17 and was followed by Cormack in second place (2:10.80). "It was huge that we were able to build that strong cushion," Jorgensen said. "That really proved to be the difference because they were able to come right back."

Lindsay continued her impressive start to the season as she won the 200 breaststroke as well, making her a perfect six-for-six in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke through the first three meets. Sophomore Louise Smyth (Bloenfontein, South Africa) won the 200 fly, while Dyer and Cusack went one-two in the 500 free.

Other notable performances included Heckroth taking second in the 200 back, freshman Carly Harter (North Huntingdon, PA) finishing second in the 100 free, and freshman Kenzie Bagan (Roanoke, IN) finishing less than half of a second out first in the 100 fly. "Laura Lindsay was our lead swimmer again and she has been the most consistent performer all season," Jorgensen said. "I was also impressed with our medley relays, and both Laura Heckroth and Kelsey Atchison were tremendous today."

The Rockets travel to Ypsilanti, MI for a 1 p.m. tri-meet against MAC foe Eastern Michigan and UW-Milwaukee of the Horizon League.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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