The following is a press release courtesy of Akron swimming & diving:
AKRON, Ohio – Enthusiastic to begin the 2014-15 season as the reigning Mid-American Conference champions, the University of Akron swimming and diving team completed its annual intrasquad meet at Ocasek Natatorium in advance of the regular season.
Split into two teams for the event, the Blue (Kange’s) and Gold (Roo’s), each side competed in a 12-event series consisting of one heat a piece.
The Blue team captured the win in the event, outscoring the Gold side 118-100.
Behind junior Ashley Niznick, senior Amanda Lawson, junior Erin Seiler, and senior Taylor Hart, the Blue side won the first event out of the gate, the 200-yard medley.
Blue came out on top in the next three events, with sophomore Laura Savariau (200-yard free), junior Hannah Raspopovich (50-yard freestyle), and senior Kelsey Ferrante (200-yard IM) all placing first in those heats.
The Gold team fought back, winning the next four events, as junior Alice Hottensmith (3-meter diving), Seiler (100-yard butterfly), Niznick (100-yard freestyle), and sophomore Luka Szynal (100-yard back) earned top finisher spots.
The two sides battled for the remaining four events, splitting them two apiece to finish the day off.
Second-year head coach Brian Peresie leads the swimming and diving program in 2014 as the squad will compete at the Tom Stubbs Relays in Bowling Green, Ohio, next week on Oct. 3, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
Event Order – Event – Winner / Team
Event 1 – 200 Medley Relay – Niznick, Lawson, Seiler, Hart (Gold)
Event 2 – 200 Freestyle – Savariau (Blue)
Event 3 – 50 Freestyle – Raspopovich (Blue)
Event 4 – 200 IM – Ferrante (Blue)
Event 5 – 3-Meter Diving – Hottensmith (Gold)
Event 6 – 100 Butterfly – Seiler (Gold)
Event 7 – 100 Freestyle – Niznik (Gold)
Event 8 – 100 Backstroke – Szynal (Gold)
Event 9 – 400 Freestyle – Kaulius (Blue)
Event 10 – 100 Breaststroke – Lawson (Gold)
Event 11 – 1-Meter Diving – Hottensmith (Gold)
Event 12 – 200 Freestyle Relay – Savariau, Ferrante, Lewis, Raspopovich (Blue)