Swimming Set for Senior Day

January 25 | Women's Swimming & Diving

AKRON, Ohio

- Nine seniors on the University of Akron swimming and diving team will compete in the final home meet of their careers on Saturday at 1 p.m. EST when the Toledo Rockets visit the Ocasek Natatorium to take on the Zips.

Danielle Beland (Ottawa, Ontario/St. Peters HS) highlights a senior class that looks to go out on top this weekend. Beland, who is the reigning MAC Champion in the 100 and 200 butterfly, is undefeated this season in butterfly events and is the school recorded holder in both events as well.

Melissa Young (North Canton, Ohio/Westchester [Pa.]/Hoover Hs) has been another key contributor to the Zips over the last two seasons since she arrived at Akron. Young is the current school recorded holder in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.32) and 200 breaststroke (2:20.87).

Backstroker Rachel Ripley (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove HS) will also be missed in years to come, as she has been a solid performer both individually and as a relay cog. As a junior she had 23 top-five finishes and was a part of 11 relay victories.

Ali Allwes (Stow, Ohio/Stow Munroe-Falls) is another relay component that the Zips will be losing at seasons end. Last year she had a team-high 31 top-five finishes in relay events, including 10 victories.

Ashleigh Powell (Oregon, Ohio/Toledo Christian HS) and Amelia Loge (Westerville, Ohio/Thomas Worthington HS) have also been key contributors for Akron the past four years.

UA will also bid farewell to divers Melissa Holbach (Palatine, Ill./Palatine HS), Jen Harris (Stow, Ohio/Stow-Munroe Falls HS) and Emily VanWalbeck (Toledo, Ohio/St. Ursula Academy).

Holbach has been a standout on the boards over the last four years recording seven victories and 16 top-five finishes a year ago. She also ranks second all-time with 315.35 points in 3-meter diving.

Akron will compete at the MAC Championship meet Feb. 14-17 in Ypsilanti, Mich. on the campus of Eastern Michigan University.