Matt McHugh Wins Four as Ohio State Cruises by Kentucky

By Andy Ross, Big Ten Beat Writer

Ohio State’s depth prevailed as the Buckeyes took care of business with Kentucky on Friday night. The star of the night was junior Matt McHugh as he won four events on the night for the Buckeyes.

McHugh continued his impressive season on Friday night with a swift leadoff leg in the 200 medley relay with a 22.05 backstroke split. Joining him on that relay was DJ MacDonald, Ching Lim and Mossimo Chavez. McHugh came back later to dominate the 100 back with a 47.11 for the win. He also earned a victory in the 100 free with a 44.63 and anchored the winning 400 free relay with a 45.09 split. Joining him on the relay was Nathan Christian, Andrew Appleby and Steffen Hillmer as they touched first with a 3:00.11.

Senior DJ MacDonald was another double winner on the night with wins in the 100 and 200 breast. MacDonald won the 100 with a 55.38 and the 200 at 2:02.19.

The distance freestyle events were very close finishes as Kentucky junior Drew Aviotti out-touched Ohio State sophomore Brayden Seal in the 1000, 9:11.03-9:11.04. A few minutes later, Kentucky’s Scott Crosthwaite won a tightly contested battle in the 200 free at 1:39.19 ahead of Hillmer and Kentucky’s Isaac Jones who tied at 1:39.68.

Ohio State senior Jovan Mitrovic claimed a tight win in the 500 free with a 4:29.57 ahead of Seal (4:30.03) and Crosthwaite (4:30.31). Mitrovic held off those two who almost caught him the last 50.

Ohio State claimed other wins from Gus Whiteman in the 200 back (1:47.72), Ching Lim in the 100 fly (48.15) and Chris Depietro in the 200 IM (1:51.67).

Kentucky claimed wins from Kyle Higgins in a tight 200 fly (1:46.37) ahead of Lim (1:46.38) and Cobe Garcia also won the 50 free at 20.21.

Ohio State won the men’s meet 203-97.

On the women’s side, it was Danielle Galyer who shined for Kentucky collecting three wins, although Kentucky lost the meet 193-107.

Galyer won the 100 back with a 54.56 ahead of Ohio State’s Liz Li. Galyer then won the 200 back with a solid 1:56.35. Galyer then returned at the end of the meet with a wire-to-wire win in the 200 IM ahead of Ohio State’s Christi DiPaolo with a 2:03.60-2:03.61 margin.

Ohio State’s star of the day was junior Amy Bopp who won the 200 fly with a 1:58.89 and later returned to win the 200 breast with a 2:13.77 for an unlikely double.

Sophomore sprint sensation Li only swam two events on the day. She finished second in the aforementioned 100 back and swam the fly leg on the winning 200 medley relay. She had a blazing 23.07 butterfly split and was joined by Camey Rabold, Rachael Dzierzak and Anne Jongekrijg. Jongekrijg also claimed a win in the 100 free with a 50.83 and teammate Macie McNichols out-touched her in the 50 free with a 23.03 to Jongekrijg’s 23.12.

Ohio State’s other star, Lindsey Clary only swam one event, winning the 1000 with a 9:55.16.

The Buckeyes also claimed wins from Katy Luchansky in the 200 free with a 1:49.41 ahead of Kentucky’s Geena Freriks (1:49.90). Taylor Vargo won the 100 breast (1:02.30), Meg Bailey won the 100 fly (55.39) and Maria Coy, Chantel Wynn, Emily Albrecht and Kathleen Cook won the 400 free relay (3:27.97) for the Buckeyes.

Kentucky claimed another win from Freriks in the 500 with a 4:53.93 in a tight race with Cara Norris of Ohio State (4:54.25).

Ohio State will be in action tomorrow at home against Michigan, Buffalo and West Virginia. Kentucky will travel home tonight and face Cincinnati at Lexington.

2016 Kentucky vs. Ohio State – Results

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