Akron Invite: Day Three

AKRON, Ohio, December 7. – Three grueling days of competition drew to a close at Ocasek Natatorium this evening as the Zips came together to make their mark, clinching a third place finish in the 2009 Zippy Invitational with a team score of 1189. Akron kept familiar company in the top-three as Mid-American Conference foe Ohio University claimed the top slot for the second consecutive year with a team score of 1318. The University at Buffalo trailed in second with a score of 1225 points to wrap up the top three performers this season.

Xavier University captured the title in the men's competition with a convincing 1578.5 points. The University at Buffalo followed in second place with 1327.5 while St. Bonaventure University finished third with 1212.5 points.

The lengthy mile swim (1650-yard freestyle) got tonight's finals underway and saw senior Julia Gregos tap in 10th with a time of 17:41.38 in tonight's "A" heat. Fellow senior Madelyn Robinson went on to finish in a time of 18:13.10 for a 22nd place finish on the night.

Senior Kendall Karchner managed a third place finish in the 200-yard backstroke for the Zips' highest place in the event, recording a 2:04.90 mark. Freshman Kelsea Cross tapped in with a 2:05.94 mark to finish fifth behind Karchner in heat "A". The consolation round saw freshman Rebecca Emerich and Rebecca Zimmer swim into fourth and fifth place with respective times of 2:09.04 and 2:09.56.

Kaitlyn Johnson of Clarion University and Chelsey Bower of Ohio combined to break the meet record in the 100-yard freestyle, sharing the victory in the "A" heat with a time of 51.18. Freshman Katie Miles and senior Stephanie Zielinski placed fifth and sixth with back-to-back finishes in times of 52.49 and 52.92 respectively. Sophomore Meg Finnerty claimed a sixth place finish in the bonus race with a time of 53.95.

The 200-yard breaststroke saw a pair of Zips take sixth and seventh as junior Julie Reynolds and freshman Rachel Szymkowiak finished with respective times of 2:28.94 and 2:29.46.

Cathryn Collins turned up the heat in the last individual race of the meet for the women, warding off swimmers from Clarion and Ohio to capture the victory in a time of 2:04.56. Fellow senior Kylie Bombrys achieved a similar feat, winning the consolation heat in a time of 2:11.01.

The meet ended with the 400-yard freestyle relay, which was neck and neck for most of the race. Ohio claimed the victory and event record with a time of 3:27.03, relinquishing the Zips to second place in a time of 3:29.50. Miles, Finnerty, Collins and Zielinski all tapped in with a 3:29.50 timestamp for the "A" team. Akron's "B" relay, including sophomore Jessica Ickes, senior Melissa Gary, junior Brigid Wolf and Gregos finished with a time of 3:37.21 to take 11th place.

The Zippy Invitational marks the end of competition for the Zips in 2009. Akron will return to the pool, ushering in 2010 with a meet at St. Francis (Pa.) on January 9th in Loretto, Pa.

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.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use