The University of Toledo swimming and diving team won its home-opener Friday evening with a 128-108 victory over its rival to the south, Cincinnati. The Rockets (3-1-1) handed the Bearcats (2-1-1) their first loss of the season.

Sophomore transfer Leah Woodard continued her impressive first season with the Rockets, winning the 50 freestyle (24:07) and the 100 freestyle (52.27). "We've been pushing each other really hard in practice and we were able to win every close race," Woodard said. "The relays were amazing, we stepped up where we needed to."

Reigning Toledo Athlete of the Week, sophomore Megan McKinley once again dominated the diving boards, taking the one-meter with a dive of 269.85 and the three-meter with a dive of 283.28. UT also had a first-place finish in the last event of the meet, the 200 free relay. Juniors Makenzie Manard and Brie Henning and sophomores Liz Hinkleman and Brittany Dominique had a time of 1:37.28 to net the victory. Toledo's `B' relay team of junior Katie Childers, Dominique and freshmen Beth McDaries and Amanda Breen also picked up an impressive second-place finish in the 200 medley.

"We didn't swim our greatest but we were fortunate to come away with a win," Head Coach Lars Jorgensen said. "I think our depth paid off tonight. Cincinnati has some front-line swimmers, but we have a really good sprint group and they pulled it out for us. I'm proud of our efforts tonight, but we need to swim better tomorrow against Eastern Michigan."

The Rockets will try to stay undefeated in the Mid-American Conference tomorrow as they travel to Ypsilanti, MI tomorrow to battle EMU and Division II Wayne State in a tri-meet beginning at 1 p.m.