Ohio State women’s swimming and diving defeated the Toledo Rockets, 181.5-118.5, on Saturday afternoon at McCorkle Aquatics Pavilion. The Buckeyes improve to 2-3 on the season.

The meet between the Buckeyes and the Rockets was swum in short course meters. The length of the pool was 25 meters as opposed to the normal collegiate distance of 25 yards.

“We wanted to swim the short course for a couple of reasons,” Jeanne Fleck, head women’s swimming coach, said. “First of all, after training, we wanted our team to just race and not worry about times. Secondly, both Ohio State and Toledo have a handful of international swimmers who need to make cuts and at the international level, everything is in meters. Also, it is another way our swimmers can make NCAA cut times.”

Ohio State swimmers won nine events and came away with nine second place finishes. Coach Vince Panzano’s divers swept both the one- and three-meter events.

Jill Lockhart led the Buckeyes with three first place finishes. The sophomore captured the 100-meter backstroke (1:03.32), 200 backstroke (2:15.42) and the 200 individual medley (2:18.94).

“Jill had the meet of her life. She had a solid performance and it was so exciting to watch her do so well,” Fleck said.

Finishing with two wins for the Scarlet and Gray was freshman Anita Beck, who took first in the 200 butterfly (2:17.22) and the 100 butterfly (1:03.64).

On the boards, freshman Bianca Alvarez earned her fourth-consecutive win in the one-meter with 301.28 points. Junior Chelsea Davis took first in the three-meter after recording 350.78 points.

The Buckeyes picked up their first win of the day in the 200 freestyle when freshman Samantha Cheverton earned first in a time of 2:03.14.

In the 100 breaststroke, Ohio State sophomore Colleen Schweitzer touched the wall first in a time of 1:12.85, while sophomore Megan Alexander won the 200 breaststroke (2:35.15).

The 400 freestyle relay team of Haley Mitchell, Cameron Russell, Annie Rennebohm and Beck, closed out the meet with a top finish in a time of 3:56.16.

“Toledo is a great team and a solid force in Mid-American Conference,” Fleck said. “I’m very proud of our team. We are continually getting better and I hope we can keep that going.”

The Buckeyes host Wright State in a co-ed dual meet, Jan. 11, at the McCorkle Aquatics Pavilion. Start time is set for 5 p.m.

Women’s Swimming
Ohio State vs. Toledo
Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008
Columbus, Ohio
 
Final Team Score: Ohio State 181.5, Toledo 118.5