Eastern Michigan University’s women’s swimming and diving team defeated University of Toledo 138-110 at home Saturday, Nov. 5. The women now have a dual record of 3-0 on the season and extended their Mid-American Conference dual win streak to eight.
The swim and dive team opened with a win in the 200 Medley Relay. Freshman Claire Young, sophomore Delaney Duncan and seniors Alexis Mitcheltree and Sierra Wagner clocked in more than two seconds ahead of the runner-up to win the race.
The Eagles then used a sweep of the 1000 freestyle to gain an early lead on the Rockets. Sophomore Nicole Swartz came in lead with a season-best time of 10:15.12, while senior Abby Aumiller and sophomore Rebecca Winnert rounded out the top three. Aumiller claimed second, while Winnert finished the race taking third place.
In the next event, five Eagles finished in the top six. Senior Mary Grace Van Allen picked up nine points in the 200 free, winning the event with a season-best time of 1:51.31. Van Allen was also one of five Eagles to finish in the top six, including junior Sarah Dombkowski who finished in third place.
Youth kept the Eagles in lead in the 100 backstroke, as four underclassmen claimed the top four spots. Young took first with a career-best time of 56.37. Sophomore Michal Liberman finished after Young, while freshman Casey Gavigan took third place.
As her first win of the season, senior Genna Worthley paved the way during the 100 breaststroke. Worthley broke her previous season-best timing when she touched in nearly a second sooner than her usual at 1:04.53. Senior Emily Wimmer finished second, giving the Eagles their third consecutive 1-2 sweep of the event this season.Freshman Kylie Sutherlin won 200 butterfly for EMU, claiming her first collegiate win and leading the way for another 1-2 finish for Eastern Michigan.
EMU then used a sweep of the top-four spots in the 50 free. Wagner touched in with a season-best time of 23.93 to win the race. Mitcheltree claimed second, clocking in with a season-best time of 24.58, while junior Chase Walker came in third, giving the Eagles top-three.
Eastern's diving core competed against one another during the break in exhibition action. Junior Alli Shereda posted the top scores in both events. Wagner gave the Eagles another win in the 100 free, which was her second win of the day.
The Rockets later broke through with their first win of the day in the 200 backstroke. Worthley took another win in the following event, the 200 breast. Clocking in with a time of 2:21.86, Worthley gave the Eagles their third consecutive sweep of the breaststroke events.
Saturday's victory against the rockets improved Eastern’s overall record this season. Eastern Michigan next meet begins Nov. 11, against Oakland University at 1 p.m.
