Akron to Defend Six-Time MAC Swimming & Diving Title This Week

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Wednesday - Finals
Thursday - Prelims | Finals
Friday - Prelims | Finals
Saturday - Prelims | Finals

AKRON, Ohio – The No. 25-ranked University of Akron women's swimming and diving team looks to capture its seventh consecutive Mid-American Conference title this week as it heads to Buffalo to compete in the 2020 MAC Women's Swimming and Diving Championships. Competition begins on Wednesday, Feb. 26, and runs through Saturday, Feb. 29, at Alumni Arena Pool and Natatorium.

Beginning Thursday, preliminary heats will begin at 10:30 a.m. and finals are slated for 6:30 p.m. each day. Additionally, diving preliminaries will take place Thursday, Feb. 27, and Friday, Feb. 28, at 2:45 p.m. The first heat of the 1650 freestyle will begin at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29.

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.

ABOUT THE ZIPS
The Zips, under the direction of seventh-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 6-2 dual record, 4-1 against MAC opponents, at the heels of just being ranked No. 25 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.

At the 2019 MAC Women's Swimming and Diving Championships, Akron captured its fifth consecutive conference title. The Zips scored a total of 867 points setting a new record for most points scored in an eight-team field.

Akron claimed six 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 Sarah Watson (Winnipeg, Manitoba) was named Freshman Swimmer of the Year, and Andrea Bugariu (Shelby Twp., Mich.).

OPPONENTS
Ball State
The Cardinals have a dual meet record of 5-6, 1-3 against MAC opponents, entering the MAC Championships. Additionally, the Cardinals placed third at Miami Invitational, hosted by Miami (OH). 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 3-3 record in dual meets this season, including a 1-3 record against fellow MAC teams. Last year at the MAC Championships, the Falcons finished in sixth place overall.

Buffalo
In dual meet action this season, the Bulls hold a record of 5-2, 4-1 in the MAC. Buffalo handed Akron its only conference loss this season, 146.5-133. Last season, the Bulls took third place at the 2019 MAC Championships.

Eastern Michigan
The Eagles hold a 4-1 dual meet record, three of which being against MAC opponents. Earlier this season, the Zips defeated the Eagles, 175-125. Last year at the MAC Championships, the Eagles finished second overall.

Miami
The RedHawks hold a 3-6 record in dual meet action, including a 2-2 record against MAC teams. Akron kicked off its regular season with a 186-114 victory over. Last season, the RedHawks finished fourth at the 2019 MAC Championships.

Ohio
In dual meet action, Ohio holds a 2-5 overall record, 1-3 MAC. The Zips defeated the Bobcats earlier this season, 182-116. The Bobcats finished in fifth place at the 2019 MAC Championships.

Toledo
Toledo is 6-5 in dual meets this season, 1-3 in MAC meets. The Zips hosted the Rockets in an LCM meet earlier this season, earning a 200-102 victory. As a team, Toledo finished in seventh place at last year's MAC Championships.

The University of Akron Athletics

Akron to Defend Six-Time MAC Swimming & Diving Title This Week

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