OXFORD, Ohio – After some time off, the Miami University men’s swimming and diving team is back in action Dec. 3-5 to host the 22nd annual Miami Invitational. The RedHawks will host Denison, Emory and Urbana in the Nixon Aquatic Center. Kentucky, Cincinnati and Wright State’s divers will also be in attendance. The three-day competition officially kicks off at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3.
There is no charge to attend this event. Heat sheets are available at the door for a small fee.
The RedHawks currently sit at 1-2 in dual-meet competition for the season after they fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes, 175-101, in their second road meet of the season on Nov. 13. Miami also fell to Purdue, 178-117 earlier this season.
A portion of the RedHawks also competed in the Arena Pro Series swim meet that took place in Minneapolis, Minn. This was an opportunity to compete against top-names in swimming including Olympic gold-medalists Michael Phelps.
The men held their own and saw drops in their times across the board. Miami’s leading breaststroke specialist, senior Evan Bader, was the only swimmer to qualify for the finals in more than two events. Bader qualified in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:05.67) and in the 200-meter breaststroke (2:23.93). Senior Jacob Prodoehl also qualified in the 200-meter backstroke finals where he garnered 29th with his final time of 2:12.27.
Miami Invitational 2014
Last season, the men raced to a fifth-place finish with a total of 1254 points. Denison took first with a total of 2314.5 points followed by Cincinnati in second.
Miami will notice the loss of graduated-RedHawk Joe Baumgartner after he made major contributions in the freestyle and relay events. Sophomore Ross Westrick, junior Lucas Brock and Prodoehl all competed in the 200-yard freestyle relay last season, bringing home a fourth-place finish (1:22.36).
Meet the Competition
Denison- The Big Red’s currently sit at 1-5 in dual meet competition, their only win against the University of Chicago. They are coming off of their most recent loss against Kenyon, 196-104, back on Nov. 14. Denison won the invitational last season with 2314.5 points.
Emory- The Eagles are coming off a loss as well after they were swept by the University of Georgia, 180.5-86.5. They currently stand at 1-2 for this season, their only win was against Birmingham Southern. Emory’s other loss was against Penn State at the beginning of the season. At the last Miami Invitational, Emory finished fourth with 1451 points.
Urbana- The Blue Knights come to the Invitational sitting at 1-5 in dual-meet competitions. They won their most recent dual meet against Manchester, 130-98. The five losses come from Sagninaw, Lindsey-Wilson, Notre Dame, Ohio Wesleyan and Davis & Elkins.
Swimming news courtesy of Miami Swimming & Diving.