BGSU Ties Best Start in Program History with UTRGV Win

Saturday, November 15

11 a.m.

Bowling Green State University

273

161

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

November 15, 2025 | Women's Swimming & Diving

Results

By: by Sam Watson, BGSU Strategic Communications

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green women's swim and dive team closed out its two-day dual meet against UTRGV with another commanding performance Saturday at Cooper Pool, earning a 373-161 victory and completing one of the strongest dual-meet weekends of the season.

The Falcons opened the morning session with a win in the 400 medley relay as Emily McNicol, Corine Rieskamp, Grace Bodrock and Annie Berrow posted a 3:50.37 to continue the momentum from Friday night. Head coach Tanner Barton said the depth on display throughout the weekend made an immediate impact.

"We have some great depth right now, and it was fun to watch our swimmers compete in primary events and secondary events," Barton said. "They were really getting after it, and the results speak for themselves."

Bowling Green strengthened its lead with a sweep of the 1650 freestyle where Caroline Toledo won in 17:34.01 followed by Lourdes Manderfield (17:54.03) and Morgan Sokol (18:13.88). In the 200 freestyle, Samia Becdach touched first in 1:53.58 and Alexandra Johnson claimed the 200 butterfly in 1:06.22. McNicol added another individual win in the 50 freestyle (24.36).

While the Falcons did not take the 1 meter dive they secured key points with Natalia Mayorga placing second (293.48) and Elise Snyder finishing third (266.70). Bodrock then reasserted control in the pool with a win in the 100 freestyle (52.89).

BGSU continued to roll as McNicol won the 200 backstroke in 2:03.06, and freshman Corine Rieskamp captured the 200 backstroke with a 2:27.19. Korina Solera extended the lead in the 500 freestyle (5:13.78) before Becdach returned atop the podium with a 57.93 in the 100 butterfly.

Barton praised McNicol's increasingly strong form heading toward midseason, noting it reflects deliberate work behind the scenes.

"Her getting the NIC A cut at this point in the season is a huge accomplishment, and it's a testament to how hard she's been working in the water and the weight room," Barton said. "We've also worked a lot on her underwater dolphin kicks…She's swimming extremely well because she's training extremely well, and it's going to be fun to watch her throughout the rest of the season."

In the closing events, Madison Bond delivered a winning 400 IM at 4:35.44 her fastest of the year, before the Falcons finished the meet with a win in the 200 freestyle relay (1:38.66) behind Becdach, Lauren Jablonski, Eva Nixon and Bella Treib.
Reflecting on the team's trajectory, Barton said the group has embraced elevated expectations.

"To be honest, it's hard to articulate what it means to this program…what this group of ladies has bought into, it's really taking effect," he said. "To ensure that they are competing in conference meets, non-conference meets, and also securing team victories…it's a huge testament to what they've been doing."

Barton also highlighted several standout performers, including Becdach's continued versatility, Bridget Kurtzweil's strong multi-event profile, and Bond's confidence-building win in the 400 IM.

"Sami Becdach won two MAC swimmer of the week awards this past season. She swam some events today she doesn't always swim, but she swam the 200 freestyle and the 100 fly and came out on top in both of those events. So, seeing her depth and her versatility gives our team, and also our coaching staff, a lot to be excited about. Another swimmer I think also had depth and versatility today was Bridget Kurtzweil. She swam the 100 fly, the 100 breast. She's also a very strong backstroker. Seeing her in those other disciplines and excel was pretty cool. Lastly, Maddie Bond. Maddie Bond won the 400 IM at the end of the meet, and that was a faster time than she went against Miami earlier this season, and now she has some confidence going into next week."

As the Falcons prepare for the Magnus Cup Invitational from Nov. 20–22, Barton said the team is applying a sharper focus to tactical racing.

"We talked a lot going into this weekend about our racing strategies. How are we swimming the races? How are we going out in that first lap? How are we coming home and finishing? So, we worked on race strategies. Next week, we can implement our race strategies to a tee. I feel like the ladies, based on what the coaching staff and I saw, are executing these strategies and now they'll know exactly what to do going into that multi team invite on Thursday."