RedHawks Open Season With Pair of Meets this Weekend
10/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
OXFORD, Ohio ââ'¬" Opening the 2015-16 campaign this weekend, the Miami University women's swimming and diving team hosts Purdue for the RedHawks' season opener Friday, Oct. 16, at 5 p.m. Miami then hosts a co-ed meet vs. Xavier on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m. Both meets are at the Nixon Aquatic Center.
After finishing fifth in the Mid-American Conference Championships last year, third-year head coach Mark Davis' roster boasts an established corps of 27 returns from last season and adds seven newcomers. Among the list of Miami returners are the NCAA 3-meter dive runner-up, junior Pei Lin, who was also named the MAC Diver of the Year. The RedHawks also return juniors Stephanie LeMire and Elise Campbell. LeMire was a two-time MAC Swimmer of the Week last season and named First-Team All-MAC. Campbell was on the All-MAC Second Team.
The RedHawks finished 7-2 in dual competition last year, with one of the losses coming against Purdue. Miami is projected to finish third in the MAC preseason swimming and diving polls, as voted on by MAC coaches.
All-America honors for two divers and the 800 freestyle relay team along with nine NCAA Championships qualifiers highlighted the 2014-15 season for Purdue women's swimming and diving. Six of those who qualified return this season, including senior Mary Beth Dunnichay, who placed fifth in the 1-meter dive in the NCAA Championships. The Boilermakers competed in the Michigan State Outdoor Invitational earlier this month, where they placed second, falling to Michigan but defeating Michigan State.
Xavier, who finished third in the Big East last season, is coming off a loss to the University of Louisville on Oct. 9. The Musketeers also competed in the Butler Quad earlier this season where they finished first out of five teams. They have a meet against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Friday, Oct. 16. Miami defeated Xavier, 145-102, when these teams competed in Oxford last season.