Marshall University's swimming and diving teams completed its meet against the Ohio University Bobcats at the Fitch Natatorium, posting its first win in program history against Ohio. The Herd won by a score of 160-138.
AGAINST THE BOBCATS
Sophomore Danica Ross (Binghampton, N.Y.) won two events for the Herd, the 50 (23.80) and 100 (52.68) freestyle. The time in the 50 is the second fastest in Conference USA this season. Ross was also part of the 200 yard freestyle relay team that placed first with a time of 1:36.83. That relay also included freshman Gloriya Mavrova (Alexandria, Virginia), senior Lauren Hurd (Orange Village, Ohio) and freshman Lauren Cowher (Roanoke, Va.). Freshman Emma Lockyer (Thunder Bay, Ontario) won the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:05.35. Lockyer continued her success by swimming the seventh fastest 200 butterfly in school history (2:07.91) and also the eighth fastest 200 IM (2:08.47).Senior Kaley Gregory (Hurricane, W.Va.) won the 1650 freestyle with a time of 17:10.71.Freshman Nele Albers (Ludinghausen, Germany) won the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:22.22, Albers also swam the fifth fastest 200 freestyle in school history (1:52.16) and the third fastest in Conference USA this season. - Mavrova tied the fourth fastest 50 freestyle time (24.22) in school history, and the fifth fastest 100 Free (53.00) in Marshall history. Freshman Chloe Jones (Fishers, Ind.) posted the top score for divers, with a 224.55 in 3 meter and 222.45 in 1 meter.
TRAMEL TALK
Herd coach Bill Tramel on Ohio Win:
"I am so happy for our team. They deserved a signature win. We have been so close. We lost by seven to Vanderbilt and lost by one last week in Dayton. To beat Ohio for the first time in school history is one they will always remember. "
"We had some great swims tonight. Nele keeps moving along. Kaley, KP (Kacey Preun) and Gloriya keep taking care of business. Emma Lockyer is just our utility swimmer. We keep asking her to swim her 4th & 5th events and she keeps coming through. She won the 500 tonight and was 2nd in the 200 Fly. And Chloe Jones wins both boards with two season best scores. That was big. We also started getting more people involved. Rachel DePietro had a great meet. Alex Black was 2nd in the 100 Breast with a season best. But the feel good story of the night has to be Danica Ross. Very few people know the challenges she has been through with injury. She hasn't raced since February of 2013. I think it's not only testimony to her drive and resilience, but also the great work our training staff does, specifically Brandi Anders who has done so much in Danica's recovery."
"This meet sets us up tremendously for our mid-season rest meet in 3 weeks. Last night at our pep rally, we talked about our potential as individuals. I specifically went around the room, athlete by athlete and stated exact times I thought each of them could swim tonight. We had almost 70 percent season best times tonight, many consistent with the goals I gave them. I think we know we have potential, but I also think we need to start believing it a little more. Tonight's performances should go a long way in building that confidence."
NEXT UP
The Herd will next be in action on December 5, at the Zippy Invitational in Akron, Ohio. The meet is the Herd's first three day session of the season.
