Akron Captures 2022 MAC Swimming and Diving Championship

Saturday, February 26

Bowling Green, Ohio

10:30 am, 4 pm

University of Akron

Mid-American Conference

Akron Captures 2022 MAC Swimming and Diving Championship

February 27 | Women's Swimming & Diving

Akron Captures 2022 MAC Swimming and Diving Championship
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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Akron Zips are the 2022 Mid-American Conference Swimming and Diving Champions, earning the programs eighth title in nine years on Saturday evening at Bowling Green's Cooper Pool.

Akron won 12-of-19 events with seven silver and eight bronze, claiming 27 medals total en route to 896.5 points. The Zips claimed the title by a 277-point margin over runner-up Buffalo (619.5). The 896.5 total points stands as the most points scored in an eight-team field, eclipsing the previous record of 867 points set by the 2019 Akron squad.

The Zips entered the final day of competition with a 173-point advantage over the field and didn't slow down as Akron claimed first place honors in all six swimming events with five pool records.

Junior Gail Workman captured the Zips' first gold medal of the evening with a 16:42.05 time in the 1650-yard freestyle.

Akron proceeded to claim the first and third positions of the 200-yard butterfly as senior Paulina Nogaj touched first with a pool record 1:58.24 time, and freshman Abigail Daniel (1:59.17) earned bronze with a pair of NCAA B-Cut times.

Akron swept the top four spots in the 200-yard breaststroke, with a pool-record performance by senior Andrea Fischer for the gold medal with a 2:10.68 time. Senior Paula Garcia followed (2:11.59) for the silver, sophomore Madeline Dyer (2:12.29) touched third and junior Sara Bozso claimed fourth (2:14.46 – the top three places were NCAA B standards.

After being named MAC Most Outstanding Senior, a career award, Sarah Watson was the next Zip to top the podium. Watson flew to a pool record time of 48.70 in the 100-yard freestyle relay.

The 200-yard backstroke was the fifth gold medal race by the Zips as junior Weronika Gorecka used a pool record time of 1:53.89 to earn the gold, while sophomore Madelyn Gatrall stopped the timer at 1:55.86 to claimed bronze, both were NCAA B-Cut times.

During a 30-minute break from the swimming action, junior Paige Kalik earned the bronze medal in 3-meter diving with 298.2 total points.

Akron wrapped-up the 2022 MAC Championships with a win in the 400-yard freestyle relay as Nogaj (48.97), Rachel Schiffli (49.26), Daniel (49.28) and Sofia Henell (49.03) brought home the gold and completed the sweep of the final day swimming events with a pool record 3:16.54 time.

Total Points

Akron – 896.5
Buffalo – 619.5
Miami – 429.5
Ohio – 367.5
Eastern Michigan – 354
Bowling Green – 339
Ball State – 243.5
Toledo – 233.5

MAC Most Outstanding Senior:
Sarah Watson, Akron

MAC Freshman Swimmer of the Year:
Abby Daniel, Akron

MAC Freshman Diver of the Year:
Marialis Kwak, Buffalo

MAC Diver of the Year:
Tori Franz, Buffalo

MAC Swimmer of the Year:
Paulina Nogaj, Akron

MAC Diving Coach of the Year:
Russ Dekker, Buffalo

MAC Swimming Coach of the Year:
Brian Peresie, Akron

All-MAC First Team
Sarah Watson, Akron
Paulina Nogaj, Akron
Olivia Gardner, Akron
Gail Workman, Akron
Weronika Gorecka, Akron
Andrea Fischer, Akron
Abby Daniel, Akron
Tori Franz, Buffalo
Sawyer Bosley, Buffalo
Katie Pollock, Buffalo
Toni Naccarella, Buffalo
Jillian Lawton, Buffalo
Daisy Platts, Bowling Green
Riley Hofmann, Eastern Michigan
Nicole Maier, Miami

All-MAC Second Team
Madelyn Gatrall, Akron
Madeline, Dyer, Akron
Sofia Henell, Akron
Paula Garcia, Akron
Paige Kalik, Akron
Mia Naccarella, Buffalo
Marij van der Mast, Buffalo
Clarice Fisher, Buffalo
Emma Fortman, Ohio
Gabrielle Brust, Ohio
Mckenzie Grau, Ohio
Erin Szczupakiewicz, Miami
Honor Brodie-Foy, Miami
Kellie House, Bowling Green
Bethany Berger, Eastern Michigan