Akron Set to Host 2019 MAC Women's Swimming and Diving Championships

Wednesday, February 27

Akron, Ohio

Finals - 6:30 PM

University of Akron

MAC Championships - Day 1

Akron Set to Host 2019 MAC Women's Swimming and Diving Championships

February 26 | Women's Swimming & Diving

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CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION | SCHEDULE

WATCH
Wednesday - Finals
Thursday - Prelims | Finals (ESPN3)
Friday - Prelims | Finals (ESPN3)
Saturday - Prelims | Finals (ESPN3)

AKRON, Ohio – The No. 23-ranked University of Akron women's swimming and diving team looks to capture its sixth consecutive Mid-American Conference title this week as its set to host the 2019 MAC Women's Swimming and Diving Championships. Competition begins on Wednesday, Feb. 27 and runs through Saturday, March 2, at Ocasek Natatorium.

On Wednesday evening, athletes will compete in the 200 medley relay and 800 freestyle relay to kick off the championships, beginning at 6:30 p.m. On the remainder day, preliminary heats will begin at 10:30 a.m. and finals are slated for 6:30 p.m. Additionally diving preliminaries will take place Thursday, Feb. 28, and Friday, March 1, at 2:45 p.m. The first heat of the 1650 freestyle will begin at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 2.

The cost of admission for adults is $12 for a single session and $40 for an all session pass. A youth (ages 3-17) single session pass is $7 and $20 for all sessions. Children ages 2 and under and all MAC students (will student ID) are free. All session passes include free heat sheets, otherwise, heat sheets can be purchased for $2. Gates will open to the public one hour to the prior to the start of each session.

Live results will be available on the Meet Mobile app. A monthly subscription is $2.49 and an annual subscription is $6.99.

A live stream four Wednesday as well as all preliminary sessions will be available through GoZips.com. Thursday through Saturday evening sessions will be broadcast live on ESPN3. Dave Jennings and Dave Bacon will be calling the action.

ABOUT THE ZIPS
The Zips, under the direction of sixth-year head coach Brian Peresie, were unanimously picked to capture the conference title in the league's preseason coaches poll. Akron enters the MAC Championships with a 6-1 dual record, 4-0 against MAC opponents, at the heels of just being ranked No. 23 in the final College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) NCAA Division I women's TYR Top 25 Dual Meet Poll of the season.

So far this season, Akron has broken MAC and program records on four different occasions, including the 400 freestyle relay, twice, the 200 freestyle relay and freshman Sarah Watson (Winnipeg, Manitoba) in the 100 butterfly. The Zips have also set new pool records at four different facilities. Akron holds top times in the MAC this season in 11 different events, including all five relays.

At the 2018 MAC Women's Swimming and Diving Championships, Akron captured its fifth consecutive conference title. The Zips scored a total of 827.5 points setting a new record for most points scored in an eight-team field.

Akron claimed five individual MAC titles, while winning all five relays for the first time in program history. Peresie was named MAC Swimming Coach of the Year for the fifth consecutive year. Akron's Paloma Marrero was honored as Swimmer of the Year, while sophomore Paulina Nogaj (Radom, Poland) was named Freshman Swimmer of the Year.

OPPONENTS
Ball State
The Cardinals have a dual meet record of 3-4, 0-3 against MAC opponents, entering the MAC Championships. Additionally, the Cardinals placed second at the Indiana Intercollegiate Meet, hosted by Purdue. At the championships last year, Ball State finished in eighth place. Akron defeated the Cardinals in dual meet earlier this season, 176-121.

Bowling Green
The Falcons hold an 8-5 record in dual meets this season, including a 2-3 record against fellow MAC teams. The Zips defeated Bowling Green in one of its final duals of the season, 140-100. Last year at the MAC Championships, the Falcons finished in fifth place overall. BGSU also competed at Akron's Zippy Invitational, where it finished fourth out of 10 teams.

Buffalo
In dual meet action this season, the Bulls hold a record of 2-4, 1-2 MAC. Akron edged Buffalo in its first dual of the season, 164-134. Additionally, Buffalo finished second at the Zippy Invitational. The Bulls took third place at the 2018 MAC Championships.

Eastern Michigan
The Eagles hold a perfect 8-0 dual meet record, four of its wins have come over MAC opponents. Eastern Michigan also finished second at the Denison Invitational. Last year at the MAC Championships, the Eagles finished second overall.

Miami
The RedHawks hold a 7-2 record in dual meet action, including a 3-0 record against MAC teams. Akron and Miami haven't met in a dual setting this season, but Miami competed at the Akron Zips Classic in October where they finished second. The RedHawks finished fourth at the 2018 MAC Championships.

Ohio
In dual meet action, Ohio holds a 4-3 overall record, 1-3 MAC. The Zips defeated the Bobcats, 201-96 in their final dual meet of the season. The Bobcats finished in seventh place at the 2018 MAC Championships.

Toledo
Toledo is 3-6 in dual meets this season, 0-4 in MAC meets. The Rockets competed at the Zippy Invitational earlier this season, where they finished in sixth place. As a team, Toledo finished in sixth place at last year's MAC Championships.