Women's Swimming Head for Toledo

Nov. 2, 2011

OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami women's swimming and diving team faces a difficult task this Friday when it travels to Toledo to take on the Rockets at UT's Student Recreation Center. The first event begins at 5 p.m.

It's Miami's fourth meet of the season. Last Saturday, the RedHawks defeated Akron, 179-116, to improve their record to 3-1.

Head coach Dave Jennings says Miami will have its hands full on Friday.

"The Toledo meet this weekend to provide a big challenge for our athletes," said Jennings. "We will need to be ready for some great racing in each swimming event."

Miami's swimmers took first in 13 of their 14 events in their victory over Akron. Leah Thornton (Helena, AL), Courtney Collett (Hilton Head Island, SC), KAYLA SCOTT (St. Charles, IL), Maegan O'Connor (Fishers, IN) and Bekka Westrick (Fairfield) all were victorious twice for the RedHawks.

Westrick performance earned her Miami Female Athlete of the Week honors.

Chelsey Bruington (Mission Viejo, CA) also captured a first-place finish.

In addition, Miami's 200 medley relay--Thornton, Katie Arlinghaus (Oxford), Westrick and Maddie Kete (Bay Village)--and 400 freestyle relay--Westrick, Cynthia Donovan (Cincinnati), Bruington and Kete--both took firsts, though the second relay had to be swam as an exhibition.

Thornton took first in the 100 backstroke (57.65) and the 200 back (2:05.44), and placed second in the 200 individual medley.

Collett is fast becoming Miami's go-to distance swimmer, touching the wall first in both the 500 (5:07.38) and 1000(10:28.24) freestyles.

Scott was tops in both breaststroke races, the 100 (1:06.19) and the 200 (2:23.57).

Coach Liz Hinkleman's Toledo squad came away with a close victory in its first Mid-American Conference dual-meet of the season, defeating Buffalo 153-147. First-place finishes were recorded by senior Claire Leichty in the 1000 freestyle (10:19.08); freshman Maria Bargardi in the 100 backstroke (58.60); junior McKenzie Bagan in the 200 butterfly (2:04.69); sophomore Rachel Johnson in the 200 backstroke (2:04.92); senior Laura Lindsay in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.97) 200 breaststroke (2:17.62); senior Louise Smyth in the 500 freestyle (5:01.95); junior Carly Harter in the 200 IM (2:03.78) and sophomore Beth Rogers in the 100 butterfly (56.09).

Next Saturday (Nov. 12), Miami's women and men host Kenyon College in a coed meet at the Nixon Aquatic Center (2 p.m.).

Miami's Roster at Toledo

Corey Bangs

Caitlin Click