Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Eastern Michigan
Falcons Prep for Conference Competition
October 27, 2009 | Women's Swimming & Diving
GSU swimmers hit the road for two conference meets on Halloween weekend
The Bowling Green State University women's swim team sets the 2009-10 conference competition in motion, traveling to Eastern Michigan and Ball State, Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31, respectively. The meet against EMU is set to begin at 5:00 p.m. while the meet against BSU is set for 1:00 p.m.
In their first exhibition meet of the season, the Falcons proved they are going to be a force to be reckoned with this season as they took four first place finishes, five second place finishes and three third place finishes at the Tom Stubbs Relays. Competing schools at the Tom Stubbs Relays included non-conference competitors the Oakland Golden Grizzlies and the Youngstown Penguins and conference rival, the Akron Zips
Last year, the Falcons ended regular season competition with a record of 1-6. BGSU found success against Ball State, but fell to Eastern Michigan, Ohio, Miami (Ohio), Toledo, Buffalo and Akron. The Falcons will look to capitalize on an experienced team to improve this season's record.
Returning for the 2009-10 season are 15 returning swimmers, including senior captain, Meg Richardson, junior, Sarah Burston and sophomore, Vicky Yu.
Richardson set two new BGSU records in both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events and was a member of four record-setting relay teams at last years MAC Championships.
Burston set the school record in 100-yard butterfly and holds top-10 times in the 200-yard butterfly and 200-IM. Burston also aided the Falcons in two record-breaking relays.
Yu was the sole Falcon to take home a gold medal from the MAC Championships. Yu earned her first gold medal with a first place finish in the 200-yard butterfly. Yu holds top-ten times in the 100-yard butterfly and 400-yard IM. She was also a member of two record-breaking relay squads.
Additional veteran Falcons who found success at the 2008-09 MAC Championships were Sarah Reinink, Megan Bomicino, Jen Beatty, Liz Harper, Kristen Tetuan, Katie Womack and Amanda Rom.
The Falcons will also be looking for victories from their six new freshmen. Falcon newcomers include: Jamie Akenberger, Emily Bennet, Brittany Boone, Alexa Harris, Alexis Kain and Emily Waller.
The upcoming meets will be the first conference play the Falcons have seen since the 2008-09 MAC Championships, in which the Falcons finished seventh.
Scouting the Eagles
For the EMU Eagles, the Falcons will be their first opportunity for conference competition as well. The Eagles ended the 2008-09 season with a 7-4 record. Last Halloween, EMU defeated the Orange and Brown 173-125 at BGSU's Cooper Pool. The Eagles found similar success against Buffalo, Akron, Xavier, Wayne State, Ball State and Miami (Ohio), but struggled for a win against Toledo, Purdue, Oakland and Ohio University. The Eagles placed fourth overall at the 2008-09 MAC Championships.
Scouting the Cardinals
BSU will be looking to even the score against the Falcons as BGSU defeated the Cardinals in their last meeting, 160-140. The Cardinals ended last season with a record of 2-8 with wins against Akron and Eastern Illinois. BSU was unable to find success against Toledo, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Michigan State, Eastern Michigan, Ohio and Miami (Ohio). At the 2008-09 MAC Championships, BSU finished behind the Falcons, taking 8th place.
