Zips Swimming and Diving Wins the Akron Zips Classic

Saturday, October 19

Akron, Ohio

10 AM, 5 PM

University of Akron

Akron Zips Classic - Day 2

Photo by: Ernie Aranyosi

Zips Swimming and Diving Wins the Akron Zips Classic

October 19 | Women's Swimming & Diving

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Results (PDF)

Zips Swimming and Diving Wins the Akron Zips Classic

AKRON, Ohio - Akron women's swimming and diving defended its home pool and captured the crown after two days of competition at the second annual Akron Zips Classic at Ocasek Natatorium, Oct. 18-19.

At the conclusion of the two day meet, the Zips won the women's field with a total of 843 points, followed by Miami in second with 655 points and Xavier totaled 217.5 points to take third.

On the men's side of competition, Miami won overall with 712 points followed by Denison (482.5) and Xavier (391.5).

The morning began with the 200 freestyle relay. The Zips claimed their third relay crown in a time of 1:31.07. Paulina Nogaj (Radom, Poland) led off with a time of 23.06 followed by Sofia Henell (Linkoping, Sweden) (22.76), Sarah Watson (Winnipeg, Manitoba) (22.69), and Morgan Waggoner (Fremont, Ohio) (22.56).

Olivia Gardner (Bromsgrove, England) was the top finisher for the Zips in the 400 individual medley (4:19.83). Gardner's time is among the top 20 in the NCAA to date. Nogaj, in her second race of the day, finished in third with a time of 4:20.79.

Nogaj followed that up with a stellar performance, touching the wall with an outstanding time of 53.06, which currently ranks as a top-10 NCAA time. Close behind was Watson, who finished at 54.00 seconds flat.

In the 100 breaststroke, Paula Garcia (Madrid, Spain) was able to touch the wall first with a time of (1:02.34). Close behind was teammate Andrea Fischer (Oak Grove, Minn.) who placed third with a time of (1:03.03).

In the final event of the morning session, Weronika Gorecka (Wroclaw, Poland) was able to take the crown in the 100 backstroke, finishing .01 faster than the next swimmer, finishing with a time of 54.64.

The third and final session of the meet started with a 1-2 punch from the Zips.

The 200 medley relays for Akron went 1-2, finishing with in .01 of each other, 1:40.88 and 1:40.89 respectively.  The Zips winning relay comprised of Gorecka (26.42), Fischer (28.06), Nogaj (23.96) and Waggoner (22.44).  The second-place relay was comprised of Lauren Cooper (Dublin, Ohio) (26.00), Garcia (28.69), Watson (24.03), Henell (22.17).

In the 1650 Free, Brooke Lamoureux (Victoria, Canada) turned in a top time of 16:45.46, good enough for a first-place finish. Not far behind teammate Andrea Galisteo (Madrid, Spain) (16:53.10). Lamoureux and Galisteo's times are currently the second and fourth fastest times in the NCAA this season, respectively.

Gardner and Gorecka kept the 1-2 streak going in the 200 backstroke, as Gardner finished in a time 1:58.90 (30^thin the NCAA) and Gorecka close behind at 1:59.86.

In the 100 Free, the Zips took second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth. The top two finishers for Akron were Henell (49.91, 28^thin NCAA) and Waggoner (50.04, 30^thin NCAA).

Fischer took gold in the 200 breast (2:14.41) and Garcia finished third with 2:15.50. Fischer and Garcia's respective times currently rank 24^thand 33^rdin the NCAA.

Nogaj continued her winning ways, busting out a 1:57.55 in the 200 butterfly, good enough for the fourth best time in the nation.  Jessica Bonezzi (Wooster, Ohio) and Mackenzie Vargas (Roseville, Calif) backed her up, finishing second and third with times of 1:59.48 and 2:00.17, respectively. Bonezzi's time currently ranks 16^thwhile Vargas' time ranks 26^th. This trio also finished 1-2-3 at the 2019 Mid-American Conference Championships last season

The Zips were able to close off the competition on a high note, as the relay team of Nogaj (49.76), Watson (50.18), Waggoner (50.15), Henell (49.68) threw down a 3:19.77 in the 400 freestyle relay. That time ranks third in the country to date.

TOP AKRON FINISHES (Day Two)

200 Freestyle Relay – 1.31.07, Nogaj (23.06), Henell (22.76), Watson (22.69), Waggoner (22.56), (First)

400 IM – 4:19.83, Gardner, (First)

100 Fly – 53.06, Nogaj (First)

200 Free – 1:52.65, Lamoureux, (Fifth)

100 Breast – 1:02.34, Garcia, (First)

100 Back – 54.64, Gorecka, (First)

200 Medley Relay – 1:40.88, Gorecka (26.42), Fischer (28.06), Nogaj (23.96), Waggoner (22.44), (First)

1650 Free – 16:45.46, Lamoureux, (First)

200 Back – 1:58.90, Gardner, (First)

100 Free – 49.91, Henell, (Second)

200 Breast – 2:14.41, Fischer, (First)

200 Fly – 1:57.55, Nogaj, (First)

400 Freestyle Relay – 3:19.77, Nogaj (49.76), Watson (50.18), Waggoner (50.15), Henell (49.68), (First)

COMPLETE WOMEN'S RANKINGS