Lemke And Platts Recognized By MAC As Falcons Finish Fifth

Saturday, February 29

Buffalo, NY

All Day

Bowling Green State University

Mid-American Conference

February 29, 2020 | Women's Swimming & Diving

Photo Gallery

By: by David Dietrich, BGSU Athletic Communications

Buffalo, N.Y. – The Bowling Green State University swim and dive team concluded the 2020 MAC Championships in fifth place, with Talisa Lemke earning recognition as the MAC's Most Outstanding Senior. She is the first BGSU swimmer or diver to receive the honor. Her victory in the 3 meter dive clinched her third consecutive MAC Diver of the Year award, with this year's and last year's being outright. She was named First Team All-MAC for the third time in her career. She closes her conference career with five MAC titles and will now compete at the NCAA Diving Zones for the fourth consecutive year.

Joining Lemke on the MAC's First Team is Daisy Platts, who won another MAC title with a school record. She raced the 200-yard backstroke in 1:54.45, the fastest time in program history and the fastest time in pool history. This marked the sophomore's third school record and second MAC championship of the weekend. Platts also qualified for the National Invitational Championship, where she will join teammate Lauren Sullivan.

The Falcons also enjoyed strong performances in the 1650-yard freestyle. Kellie House placed ninth at 17:07.92, her fastest time of the season. In the final race of her career, Meghan Burnard finished in 17:28.74 to place 14^th. This was her fastest time of the season by nearly 20 seconds, and her fastest career time by almost ten seconds.

Taylor Harris delivered during her second consolation performance of the weekend, placing 12^th in the 200-yard backstroke. She finished in 2:19.24, her fastest time of the year. The freshman placed in the B Finals twice at her first career MAC Championships.

To cap the weekend, the 400-yard freestyle team of Daisy Platts, Anna Eriksson, Maddy Andrews, and Shaunna Jones placed sixth at 3:25.90. The team finished fifth overall with 293.5 points, edging Toledo by 10.5 points. This ties the highest team finish since 2018.

Tonight's Finalist Performances

Daisy Platts – 1^st Place in 200-Yard Backstroke (1:54.45, program record, pool record)
Talisa Lemke – 1^st Place in 3 Meter Dive (351.36)
Daisy Platts, Anna Eriksson, Maddy Andrews, Shaunna Jones – 6^th Place in 400-Yard Freestyle Relay (3:25.90)
Kellie House – 9^th Place in 1650-Yard Freestyle (17:07.92)
Taylor Harris – 12^th Place in 200-Yard Breaststroke (2:19.24)
Meghan Burnard – 14^th Place in 1650-Yard Freestyle (17:28.74)

Historic Achievements
The Falcons collected several personal-bests, program records, and MAC medals over the weekend. Their eight-medal total more than doubles last year's total of three. Daisy Platts earned three medals, Talisa Lemke earned two, and Sarah Hennings earned one. The medley relay team of Platts, Harris, Hennings, and Eriksson won the final two medals. Four school records were broken, with Platts toppling three and Hennings setting one.

Platts and Lemke were named First Team All-MAC for the second straight year, with Lemke winning her third straight MAC Diver of the Year award. Lemke and Kylie Mosset combined for 54 points on the boards, the highest total in BGSU diving history. Finally, seniors Meghan Burnard, Sarah Fergus, and Michaela Ruddock all swam season-best times to close their careers.

FINAL RESULTS (PDF)

Coach's Quote
"The MAC Championships meet was a great team effort. I am proud of how they fought throughout the meet. We are learning that, at this level and this meet especially, it is a team effort."

Up Next
The conclusion of the MAC Championships brings the season to a close for all but four Falcons. Senior Talisa Lemke and sophomore Kylie Mosset will compete at the NCAA Diving Zones. This will be Lemke's fourth consecutive appearance and Mosset's second consecutive appearance. The duo will compete on March 12, 13, and 14 at the University of Kentucky.

Sophomore Daisy Platts and junior Lauren Sullivan will also compete on March 12, 13, and 14. Both swimmers made their NCAA cuts, sending them to the CSCAA National Invitational Championship for the first time in their careers. This year's National Invitational Championship will be held at Cleveland State University. The Falcons had success at CSU earlier this year, placing fourth of 13 at the Magnus Cup. Platts set a school record in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1:59.64. That record time was broken by Platts on Thursday, when she finished third in the MAC with a time of 1:58.83.

Follow The Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons swimming and diving team throughout the season on social media.
Twitter – @BGAthletics and @FalconSwimDive
Instagram – 'bgfalcons' and 'falconswimdive'
Facebook – 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube – 'Falcon Athletics