Zips Predicted To Capture Fourth Straight MAC Title

October 18 | Women's Swimming & Diving

AKRON, Ohio – Defending Mid-American Conference champion, Akron swimming and diving team was chosen to defend its MAC title for the fourth consecutive year, according to the preseason poll voted on by the league's coaches.

A year ago, the Zips completed a three-peat or a 'Z-peat', after winning back-to-back-to-back conference championships dating back to 2014. Fourth year head coach Brian Peresie has turned the Akron program around in three short years, as the Zips have become a powerhouse in the MAC.

Akron returns 24 letterwinners from the 2016 squad, including 2016 first team All-MAC selections senior Luka Szynal (Lublin, Poland), junior Paloma Marrero Munoz (Merida, Spain), and sophomore Madison Myers (Copley, Ohio), along with second-team All-MAC honoree sophomore Sadie Fazekas (Windsor, Ontario). Complementing the Zips returners is an incoming freshman class made up of four swimmers and a pair of divers.

Eastern Michigan was picked to finish second in the MAC, followed by Miami (Ohio) who received two votes to place first at the 2017 MAC Championships.

Rounding out the poll were Buffalo, Bowling Green, Ohio, Toledo, and Ball State.

Akron opens its 2016-17 regular season competition on Oct. 28 against Ball State at the Ocasek Natatorium on the campus of the University of Akron.

2016-17 MAC Women's Swimming and Diving Coaches' Preseason Poll

1. Akron (6)

2. Eastern Michigan

3. Miami (2)

4. Buffalo

5. Bowling Green

6. Ohio

7. Toledo

8. Ball State

MAC Championship: Akron (6)