Michigan
Ohio State
Wolverines Use Big Second Half to Race Past Ohio State
1/18/2020 5:00:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving
» Following the 100-yard freestyle, U-M led by only 10 points despite winning six of the first eight events, but held the Buckeyes back in a 165-135 win in Columbus.
» Maggie MacNeil played a crucial role in the victory, winning three events in three different disciplines: the 100-yard backstroke (51.09), the 100-yard freestyle (48.10) and the 100-yard butterfly (52.12).
» Miranda Tucker (100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard breaststroke) and Kaitlynn Sims (500-yard freestyle, 1000-yard freestyle) also were double-event winners.
Site: Columbus, Ohio (McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion)
Score: #5 Michigan 165, #18 Ohio State 135
Records: U-M (5-0, 3-0 Big Ten), OSU (6-2, 1-1 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Jan. 31 -- vs. Michigan State - Senior Night (Canham Natatorium), 5 p.m.
• Complete Results (PDF)
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The No. 5-ranked University of Michigan women's swimming and diving team got some clutch performances from its senior class down the stretch, pulling away from No. 18 Ohio State in a 165-135 road win Saturday (Jan. 18) at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion. Following the 100-yard freestyle, U-M led by only 19 points despite winning seven of the nine events, but outscored the Buckeyes by a 56-20 margin in the next four events that followed to clinch the meet.
Sophomore Maggie MacNeil played a crucial role in the victory, winning three events in three different disciplines: the 100-yard backstroke (51.09), the 100-yard freestyle (48.10) and the 100-yard butterfly (52.12). All three times met the NCAA 'B' standard.
"I saw a team that didn't get rattled and didn't get angry, and I think those two things played a part in our success today," said head coach Mike Bottom. "Our team stepped up in a tough environment on the road against a rival. Just a tremendous fight all the way through."
The turning point of the meet came in the 200-yard backstroke. With Michigan up only 10 points after MacNeil's win in the 100-yard freestyle, senior captain Jacqui Schafer gutted out a wire-to-wire win, leading a 1-2-4-5 finish for the Wolverines. She touched at 1:58.65, followed by senior (and Ohio native) Chloe Hicks, sophomore Katie Minnich and freshman Mariella Venter. The Wolverines outscored the Buckeyes, 16-3, in that event and extending its lead to 96-73.
Senior Miranda Tucker fed off that, rallying in the last 50 yards to overtake Ohio State's Josie Panitz to win the 200-yard breaststroke (2:13.44). Panitz led by a second with 50 yards to go, but Tucker closed it 33.76, fueled by a great turn off the wall with 25 yards to go. Panitz faded, splitting 35.29. Tucker also won the 100-yard breaststroke earlier in the meet (1:00.89).
"Our seniors just made the choice to step up," Bottom added. "Jacqui led the whole way and held on the end. Miranda came from behind in both of her races to win. Theose were some tough swims, and real nice results for our seniors."
Freshman Kaitlynn Sims was also a double-event winner on Saturday, but it was her tough swim in the 500-yard freestyle that stood out. She was second to OSU's Kathrin Demler for most of the race, but stuck on her hip through every turn. Sims finally made her move with 100 yards to go, overtaking Demler and touching her out for the narrow win (4:43.86). Sims also won the 1,000-yard freestyle (9:48.11), combining with junior Sierra Schmidt on a 1-2 finish.
One week after winning three events in her home debut, sophomore Olivia Carter continued her winning ways on Saturday, using a strong back-half to take the 200-yard butterfly (1:56.36).
The Wolverines also got a win in the 200-yard medley relay to begin the meet, clocking in at 1:37.38. MacNeil gave Michigan nearly a two-second lead after the first leg, splitting 23.60. Tucker, junior Claire Maiocco and junior Daria Pyshnenko brought home the win.
Sophomore Allie Klein led the way in the diving well, headlining a 1-3-4 finish on three-meter (313.75) along with juniors Nikki Canale (295.50) and Camryn McPherson (291.55). Klein was also the team's top finisher on one-meter, taking third (279.00).
Michigan will finish the regular season Friday, Jan. 31 when it hosts Michigan State for Senior Night at Canham Natatorium. The combined men's and women's dual meet will begin at 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Players Mentioned
