BUFFALO, NY – With the help of three first-place finishes on Thursday evening, Akron holds the lead at the 2025 MAC Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships, with 264 team points. Additionally, three more pool records were broken at the Alumni Arena Natatorium.
Leading off the night was Akron’s Elle Couture, who took gold in the 500 freestyle at 4:50.44. Defending 200 IM MAC Champion, Akron’s Abby Daniel touched the wall at 1:56.04, almost three seconds ahead of second-place teammate Rebecca Reid. Daniel’s time is a new pool record and tied the MAC Championship record set by Nicole Maier (Miami) in 2023.
The all-out sprint of the 50 freestyle ended in a pool record and tie between Ohio’s Zita Szoke and Ball State’s Payton Kelly, who touched the wall at 22.23.
Also defending her title was Buffalo’s Mari Kwak, who won the one-meter diving board with a final score of 312.05.
The final event and pool record of the night was Akron’s 400 Medley relay of Maddy Gatrall, Claire Cox, Abby Daniel, and Dominika Kossakowska, with a final touch-time of 3:31.71.
The third day of the 2025 MAC Women’s Swimming & Diving Championship will continue on Friday, beginning with prelims at 10:00 AM (EST) with the finals to follow at 6:00 PM (EST). Friday’s event schedule includes the 100 butterfly 400 IM, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, and 200 freestyle relay.
Team Standings after Day Two
1. Akron – 264 pts.
2. Buffalo – 228 pts.
3. Ohio – 215.5 pts.
4. Miami – 203 pts.
5. Ball State – 117.5 pts.
6. Bowling Green – 96 pts.
7. Eastern Michigan – 92 pts.
8. Toledo – 75- pts.
2025 MAC Women’s Swimming & Diving Event Winners
200 Medley Relay | Ohio (Schrank, DiBetta, Szoke, and Dunigan), 1:36.98 *
Pool Record
800 Freestyle Relay | Akron (Kossakowska, Lalkovic, Reid, and Gatrall) 7:10.41
500 Freestyle | Elle Couture, Akron, 4:50.44
200 IM | Abby Daniel, Akron, 1:56.40
*Pool Record
50 Freestyle | Zita Szoke, Ohio and Payton Kelly, Ball State, 22.23
*Pool Record
1-Meter Diving | Mari Kwak, Buffalo, 312.05
400 Medley Relay | Akron (Gatrall, Cox, Daniel, and Kossakowska), 3:31.71
*Pool Record
