2023 MAC Champions! Zips Swim and Dive Wins Ninth Crown in 10 Years

Saturday, February 25

Miami, Ohio

10:30 am & 4 pm

University of Akron

MAC Championships

2023 MAC Champions! Zips Swim and Dive Wins Ninth Crown in 10 Years

February 26 | Women's Swimming & Diving

OXFORD, Ohio – The University of Akron swimming and diving program claimed its ninth Mid-American Conference Championship in 10 years as the Zips scored 778.5 points en route to secure the title.

Akron entered the final day with a 98.5-point lead over the field and immediately began to stack points, collecting 38 points in the 1,650-yard freestyle with Astrid Halvorsen (4^th, 16:47.10) leading the way followed by Abigail Workman (5^th, 16:49.29), Andrea Galisteo (10^th, 16:59.81) and Elle Couture (15^th, 17:06.48).

Akron swept the top two spots in the 200-yard backstroke as Weronika Gorecka claimed the gold medal while setting a new pool record with a 1:53.33 time, replacing the 1:53.38 set in 2017 by ex-Zip Ludwika Szynal. Madelyn Gatrall finished second with a 1:54.75 time and Rebecca Reid added to the point total with a sixth-place finish (1:59.50).

The Zips claimed the top two spots in the 200-yard backstroke as Andrea Fischer captured the individual MAC Championship with a 2:10.99 time followed by runner-up Giovanna Cappabianca (2:11.25), Madeline Dyer (4^th, 2:12.97) and Sara Bozso (6^th, 2:13.78).

Abigail Daniel secured the final individual gold medal of the meet, posting another pool record with a 1:56.46 time in the 200-yard butterfly.

In addition, senior diver Paige Kalik collected a fourth place finish on the 3-meter board with 305.90 points.

Zips rounded out the meet with a win in the 400-yard freestyle relay as Daniel, Gorecka, Gatrall and Schiffli flew to a new pool record time of 3:17.11, registering a new pool record.

After the meet, the league announced its first and second All-MAC teams as Madeline Dyer, Rachel Schiffli, Rebecca Reid, Rachel Sabotin and Astrid Halvorsen earned second team honors, while Abby Daniel, Weronika Gorecka, Madelyn Gatrall, Giovanna Cappabianca and Andrea Fischer were named to the first team. Daniel was named most outstanding swimmer and head coach Brian Peresie garnered Coach of the Year honors.

All-MAC Second Team:
Madeline Dyer (Akron)
Rachel Schiffli (Akron)
Rebecca Reid (Akron)
Rachel Sabotin (Akron)
Astrid Halvorsen (Akron)
Clarice Fisher (Buffalo)
McKenzie Grau (Ohio)
Emma Fortman (Ohio)
Casi DiBetta (Ohio)
Marcella Ribeiro (Ball State)
Payton Kelly (Ball State)
Nicole Aguilar (Buffalo)
McKenzie Reid (Miami)
Lauren Kilgore (Toledo)
Gabrielle Brust (Ohio)

All-MAC First Team:
Abby Daniel (Akron)
Weronika Gorecka (Akron)
Madelyn Gatrall (Akron)
Giovanna Cappabianca (Akron)
Andrea Fischer (Akron)
Greta Kolbeck (Miami)
Nicole Maier (Miami)
Tori Franz (Buffalo)
Toni Nacarella (Buffalo)
Amy Hornyak (Ohio)
Marialis Kwak (Buffalo)
Sawyer Bosley (Buffalo)
Madeline Padavic (Miami)
Lauren Hartell (Ohio)
Mia Naccarelle (Buffalo)

Freshman Diver of the Year:
Sydney Rice (Miami)

Freshman Swimmer of the Year:
Lauren Hartel (Ohio)

Outstanding Diver:
Tori Franz & Mari Kwak (Buffalo)

Diving Coach of the Year:
Russ Dekker (Buffalo)

Outstanding Swimmer:
Abby Daniel (Akron) & Nicole Maier (Miami)

Swimming Coach of the Year:
Brian Peresie (Akron)