Akron vs. Ohio University
- January 14th, 2021
- Akron, Ohio
- SCY Dual Meet
- Team Scores
- Akron 241 Ohio 101
- Full results
The University of Akron honored their graduating senior class in their final home meet of the season on Friday, defeating MAC rival Ohio University 241-101. The Zips celebrated the careers of 8 seniors, including Lauren Cooper, Olivia Gardner, Paula Garcia, Kamryn Goodrick, Sofia Hennell, Brooke Lamoureax, Paulina Nogaj and Sarah Watson. The class has had a highly successful four years at Akron, including helping the Zips win the 2019 and 2020 Mid-American Conference team titles.
The meet also featured a unique format, with the contest being broken into three sessions and swimmers limited to one event per session. The event lineup also included several events not normally contested in dual meets, including 50s of stroke, the 100 IM and “off distance” races like the 400, 600 and 800 yard free and 300 IM.
Senior Paulina Nogaj led the way for the Zips with three first place finishes on the day. In her first event, the Radom, Poland native used a quick opening 50 to take the 100 back in a new lifetime best of 54.71, over two seconds ahead of teammate Victoria Kaufman. In her second event, the 100 fly, Nogaj won by over seconds with a 53.54, and she finished her day with a 50.54 in the 100 free, winning by almost 2 seconds. Nogaj’s season bests stand at 52.50 in the 100 fly and 50.29 in the 100 free.
Another Zip senior, Brooke Lamoureax, won two of the “off-distance” distance races, posting a 4:02.69 in the 400 free and 8:21.20 in the 800 to touch first. The Victoria, Canada native holds season bests of 4:57.44 in the 500 and 10:15.62 in the 1000, both from December’s Zippy Invite.
Akron All American senior Sarah Watson, who holds five individual program records and is one of the most decorated swimmers in Akron history, won the 100 IM by nearly two seconds with a 56.97. Watson, a native of Winnipeg, Canada, has scored at the NCAA Championships in both the 100 fly and 200 IM in her career, and announced in October that she would be entering the transfer portal as a graduate transfer following her senior season at Akron.
Leading the way for Ohio was sophomore Gabrielle Brust, who staged a come-from-behind victory in the 200 fly with a 2:03.13 including a 30.93 closing 50 split to run down the field. Brust’s season best sits at 2:01.68 from November’s Magnus Cup invite at Cleveland State. The Granville, Ohio native also finished in 3rd in the 50 back with a 26.40 and 2nd in the 100 IM with a 58.92.
Also winning an individual event for the Bobcats were juniors McKenzie Grau and Emma Fortman. Grau, a Mason, Ohio native won the 200 IM in a season-best 2:05.07 and also finished in third in the 100 IM with a 59.11 and tied for fifth in the 50 breast with a 30.19. Fortman, a native of Madeira, Ohio, won the 200 free in 1:54.51, off of her season best of 1:49.16 from November.
Other individual event winners:
- 100 breast: Paula Garcia (Akron): 1:03.11
- 50 free: Sofia Henell (Akron): 23.33
- 600 free: Gail Workman (Akron): 6:15.25
- 300 IM: Kendall Craig (Akron): 3:16.02
- 50 back: Weronicka Gorecka (Akron): 26.32
- 50 breast: Andrea Fisher (Akron): 29.55
- 50 fly: Sofia Hennell (Akron): 25.05
- 200 back: Weronika Gorecka (Akron): 2:00.77
- 200 breast: Andrea Fischer (Akron): 2:20.08
Akron will return to the pool next weekend in South Bend, Indiana at the Shamrock Invitational, while Ohio will host a MAC rival Bowling Green and Cleveland State for a tri meet on January 29th.
