The BGSU swim and dive team wrapped up their home schedule this evening on the Falcons' senior day, defeating the defending Mid-American Conference champions, Akron 167-132. The Orange and Brown recognized four seniors – Stephanie Boyle, Erica Nieminen, Haley Roberts and team captain Carmen Young.
"The team grew up with [the seniors] for four years," Head Coach Petra Martin. "It's a little sad they are leaving, but at the same time I know they are ready to attack new adventures. I feel confident that they are really well prepared from everything we have done here with them. From academic preparedness to overall readiness for the real world, competitiveness and how to carry themselves, they are ready to go."
Bowling Green, ranked first in the MAC by collegeswimming.com, extended its dual meet winning streak to 13, dating back to last season. The Falcons also sit at 18th in the Mid-Major rankings heading into the back half of the season.
The Falcons started off strong, winning five of the meets first seven events, and 10 out of 16 events overall. This included a sweep of the top three spots in the 200 freestyle. Three different BGSU swimmers won two individual events, while freshmen Natalie Criswell and Franziska Wohlert each won one of their own.
Criswell swam a personal best time of 10:27.00 in the 1000 freestyle, beating her previous best by over four seconds. Wohlert's victory came in the 200 individual medley, which she swam for the second time this season, placing third in the previous meet.
"It was a great meet and it was very competitive," said Martin. "I'm pretty proud of the team. We did some nice work and had much better races than last Saturday. There are still obviously things we still have to polish and get better with, but I was happy and thought it was a very strong meet for us."
Victoria Griffin remains undefeated this season in the 50 freestyle and also won the 100 free. Coming into the meet, she was ranked number one in the MAC in the 100 freestyle and second in the 50, according to collegeswimming.com. She was also a part of both winning relays this evening.
Continuing her breaststroke dominance, Daniela Carrillo? won the 100 and 200 breaststroke. She beat her nearest competitor by over three seconds in the 200 breast event, where she ranks second in the MAC. Carrillo and Kristin Filby finished as a 1-2 duo in both events.
Tara Capouch picked up victories in the 200 and 500 freestyle, winning those events or the first time this year. She picked up a third win in the 400 freestyle relay, swimming on a team with Griffin, Kayla Effinger and Hannah Newman.
The Falcons next head to New York on Jan. 31 to take on Buffalo for the team's final meet in January.
