The Ohio State women’s swimming and diving team returned to competition in dominating fashion Friday evening, posting a 201.5-93.5 win over the Toledo Rockets in Toledo, Ohio. In all, Ohio State swimming recorded the fastest time in each race, while diving standout Taylor Ford notched wins in both the 1- and 3-meter events.
Ohio State kicked off the evening with a first-place touch in the 400 medley relay. Fueled by swims from Camey Rabold, Taylor Vargo, Annelise Sprau and Macie McNichols, the Buckeyes posted a time of 3:48.85 for the win.
The Buckeyes claimed the top-three times in the 1000 freestyle, led by freshman Paige Kelly, who touched in 10:08.13 for first. Alex Wittman and Kaitlyn Ferrara followed in second- and third-place, respectively. Another member of the freshmen class, Kathleen Cook, earned a win in the 200 freestyle (1:52.49), while sophomore Zulal Zeren took the runner-up spot in 1:54.00.
In the 100 backstroke, Ohio State once again came out on top. This time it was Rabold who placed first (56.45), followed by rookie Zhesi Li in second (57.24). Junior Rachael Dzierzak then earned nine points toward the Scarlet and Gray total with a first-place finish in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.90).
The Buckeyes swept the 200 butterfly behind the first-place effort from freshman Amanda McNulty. McNulty posted a time of 2:05.13 for the win, but was followed closely by classmate Meg Bailey, who took second in 2:05.40.
In the 50 freestyle, McNichols captured her second victory of the evening. She touched in a time of 23.97 in the event, complementing her earlier 400 medley relay win.
In diving action, Ford blew away the competition placing first on the 1-meter and 3-meter apparatuses. Freshman Brittany Menninger placed second on 1-meter and third on 3-meter.
Dzierzak then posted her second individual win with a time of 51.49 in the 100 freestyle. Next it was Zeren’s turn, claiming the 200 backstroke in 2:00.96.
Vargo and Kelly only continued building momentum for the Buckeyes, with wins in the 200 breaststroke (2:20.30) and 500 freestyle (4:58.74), respectively.
The 100 butterfly and 400 individual medley rounded out solo events for the meet, both of which went in favor of the Buckeyes. Sprau earned the win in the 100 butterfly (57.31), while senior Lauren Davis touched first in the 400 individual medley (4:25.68).
The quartet of Cheyenne Meek, Ferrara, Katy Luchansky and Erin Dunseith concluded the competition with a win in the 400 freestyle relay (3:32.47). The win contributed 11 points for the Buckeyes.
Up next, Ohio State travels to East Lansing, Mich. for a Big Ten showdown with Michigan State on Jan. 23 (4 p.m. ET). The Buckeyes then journey to Ann Arbor, Mich. the following day for a dual with rival Michigan (12 p.m. ET).
