Ohio v. Eastern Michigan

ATHENS, Ohio, January 18. THE Ohio swimming and diving team once again displayed its depth, defeating two-time defending Mid-American Conference champion Eastern Michigan, 161-139, at the Ohio Aquatic Center. Senior co-captain Emily Wylam and freshman Amanda Cecere each recorded three first-place finishes to fuel the Bobcat victory.

Ohio improves to 8-1 overall and 4-1 in the MAC, while Eastern Michigan falls to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in MAC action.

Wylam touched the wall first in the 100-yard backstroke (58.11) and the 200-yard backstroke (2:10.02), and Cecere finished first in the 100-yard butterfly (58.02) and the 200-yard butterfly (2:03.09). The two teamed with Allison Schaefer and Chelsey Bower in the opening event of the meet to take first in the 400-yard medley relay with a time of 3:52.74.

Reigning MAC Swimmer of the Year Maddy Pilchard led Eastern Michigan with four first-place finishes, but the Bobcats' strong team performance proved too much for Pilchard and the Eagles to overcome.

Senior co-captain Ilse Petersen had a strong meet, placing first in the 100-yard freestyle (52.62) and second to Pilchard (1:51.50) in the 200-yard freestyle (1:52.82). Cecere wasn't the only Ohio freshman to notch a victory on the day, as fellow classmate Stacey Huber (Gainesville, Fla.) placed first in the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:13.34) and finished second in the 500-yard freestyle (5:01.63), less than two seconds behind Pilchard (4:59.89).

Ali Giordano led the Ohio divers, placing second in both the one-meter dive (224.03) and the three-meter dive (223.13).

Ohio sophomore Leah Giancarli finished second behind Cecere in both the 100-yard butterfly (58.25) and the 200-yard butterfly (2:04.53) to total eight points and freshman Amanda Traylor placed second in the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:23.12) and third in the 500-yard freestyle (5:02.62) to collect seven points for the Bobcats.

Last year Ohio finished second at the 2007 MAC Championships behind Eastern Michigan. The Bobcats totaled 618 points compared to the Eagles' 665 points.

Special thanks to Ohio for contributing this report.

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