RedHawk Women Travel to Akron

10/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving

Oct. 27, 2011

OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami women's swimming and diving team takes its first road trip of 2011-12 when it travels to face Mid-American Conference (MAC) foe Akron in action at UA's Ocasek Natatorium. Saturday's first event begins at 1 p.m.

It will be Coach Dave Jennings' team's third meet of the season. Last Friday, the RedHawks were beaten by Purdue in their season opener, but bounced back to defeat Xavier on Saturday.

"Friday's meet at Akron is an important one for us," said head coach Dave Jennings. "It's our first meet away from home and, especially for our freshmen, it's an opportunity for them to understand that it's a lot different swimming in a pool that they're not familiar with. Secondly, for all of our swimmers and divers, since we haven't swam at Akron in recent years, it will be a new experience for them, too. Plus, the MAC meet will be at Akron this season, so it's important that we use Friday's opportunity to prepare ourselves for February."

Picking up Miami's only first-place finish against the Boilermakers was RedHawk diver Nikki Craft (Bay Village). On Saturday against Xavier, senior Chelsey Bruington (Mission Viejo, CA), juniors Bekka Westrick (Fairfield) and Maegan O'Connor (Fishers, IN), and sophomore KAYLA SCOTT (St. Charles, IL) led the women with two wins each. Bruington showed off her versatility, finishing first in the 50 and 500 freestyles with times of 24.39 and 5:09.08. Westrick and O'Connor helped the 400 medley relay team to a first-place finish in the first event of the meet before Westrick won the 200 freestyle (1:54.01) and O'Connor took first in the 100 backstroke (58.54). Scott's wins, both in individual events, came in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes in times of 1:06.25 and 2:24.50, respectively.

Miami's single-event winners included junior Maddie Kete (Bay Village) and freshmen Amy Trace (Upper Arlington), Courtney Collett (Hilton Head Island, SC) and Katie Bootsma (Eden Prairie, MN).

Akron trounced visiting Duquesne last Saturday afternoon at home, 124-89, as the Zips recorded the top time in all but two of the 13 events. Becca Zimmer (500 and 1000 freestyles) and Meg Finnerty (100 and 200 frees) highlighted Akron's individual accolades with a pair of event wins each. Catherine Carr (200 IM) and Kelsea Cross (200 backstroke) also had impressive victories.

"Coach (Nittaya) Klim has a solid team and they always seem to swim well against us," said Jennings. "Meg Finnerty is an outstanding swimmer in the sprints and Becca Zimmer is a great competitor in the distance events, so they'll be difficult challenges for Miami's swimmers. Kelsea Cross and Catherine Carr also are very good in the backstroke and the butterfly."

Miami's next meet is Friday, Nov. 4, at Toledo (5 p.m.). The RedHawks don't compete at home again until Saturday, Nov. 12, when they host Kenyon (2 p.m.).

Miami's Travel Roster

Corey Bangs