After falling to Eastern Michigan on Friday evening, Akron rebounded on Saturday to defeat the host Cardinals of Ball State 151.5 – 148.5.
The defending Mid-American Conference champs from Akron opened the meet with a win in the 200 medley relay. Ashley Niznik, Amanda Lawson, Erin Seiler, and Hanna Raspopovich teamed up to claim the first victory of the meet with a 1:47.62 effort. Ball State was a close second with Courtney Mudd, Amanda Kedzierski, Jenna Zitkus, and Jordan Vanwinkle finishing in 1:48.33.
Akron then took the top two spots in the 1,000 freestyle. Kara Kaulius took the win with a 10:51.37 effort. Second place was secured by Natalie O’Brien who touched in 10:54.98 – ahead of Leighann Mattson from Ball State who took third in 10:58.18. Ball state returned the top two sweep in the 200 freestyle. Vanwinkle took the win with a 1:54.73, with Carlena Magley placing second in 1:55.70. Vanwinkle also went on to victory in the 500 freestyle in 5:09.29. Beating out Kaulius from the Zips who touched second in 5:13.70.
For the second straight night, Akron’s Ludwika Szynal took wins in both the 100 back (57.50) ahead of Zitkus (58.64) of Ball State. Her 200 back effort of 2:05.70 placed her ahead of teammate Niznik who took second with a 2:08.83.
Maddie Zirzow of Ball State took the wins in both diving events. Her score of 269.85 in the 1-meter event put her ahead of second place Alice Hottensmith from Akron who scored 266.63. In the 3-meter event, Zirzow scored 265.20 for the win – this time ahead of Akron foe Rachel Aepelbacher who tallied 258.53 for second.
Selier, the Zips Junior, was notable winning all three of her individual events. Seiler took the top spot in the 200 butterfly (2:08.07), the 100 butterfly (58.03) and the 200 IM (2:10.93). Kedzierski stood out for Ball State, winning both the 100 breaststroke (1:05.48) and 200 breaststroke (2:24.25) for the Cardinals.
Ball State closed the evening with a win in the 400 free relay. The ‘A’ team of Vanwinkle, Jessica Extine, Elaine Pitsas, and Magley touched in 3:32.99 ahead of the second place Akron ‘A’ team of Niznik, Taylor Hart, Kaulius, and O’Brien who posted a 3:37.24.
The reigning MAC champs Akron, now 1-2, have a few weeks off from competition before they head to Cleveland State on November 21-23 for the Magnus Cup Invitational. Ball State next head to Eastern Illinois for a co-ed meet on November 7.
