Women's Swimming & Diving

Zips Secure Ninth Swimming & Diving Title in 10 Years

FINAL RESULTS | CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL

OXFORD, Ohio
– The Akron women's swimming and diving program claimed its ninth Mid-American Conference Championship in 10 years as the Zips scored 778.5 points en route to secure the title.
 
Akron entered the final day with a 98.5-point lead over the field and immediately began to stack points, collecting 38 points in the 1,650-yard freestyle with Astrid Halvorsen (4th, 16:47.10) leading the way followed by Abigail Workman (5th, 16:49.29), Andrea Galisteo (10th, 16:59.81) and Elle Couture (15th, 17:06.48).

Akron swept the top two spots in the 200-yard backstroke as Weronika Gorecka claimed the gold medal while setting a new pool record with a 1:53.33 time, replacing the 1:53.38 set in 2017 by ex-Zip Ludwika Szynal. Madelyn Gatrall finished second with a 1:54.75 time and Rebecca Reid added to the point total with a sixth-place finish (1:59.50).

The Zips claimed the top two spots in the 200-yard backstroke as Andrea Fischer captured the individual MAC Championship with a 2:10.99 time followed by runner-up Giovanna Cappabianca (2:11.25), Madeline Dyer (4th, 2:12.97) and Sara Bozso (6th, 2:13.78).

Abigail Daniel secured the final individual gold medal of the meet, posting another pool record with a 1:56.46 time in the 200-yard butterfly.

In addition, senior diver Paige Kalik collected a fourth place finish on the 3-meter board with  305.90 points.

Zips rounded out the meet with a win in the 400-yard freestyle relay as Daniel, Gorecka, Gatrall and Schiffli flew to a new pool record time of 3:17.11, registering a new pool record.

After the meet, the league announced its first and second All-MAC teams as Madeline Dyer, Rachel Schiffli, Rebecca Reid, Rachel Sabotin and Astrid Halvorsen earned second team honors, while Abby Daniel, Weronika Gorecka, Madelyn Gatrall, Giovanna Cappabianca and Andrea Fischer were named to the first team. Daniel was named most outstanding swimmer and head coach Brian Peresie garnered Coach of the Year honors.

Final MAC Championship Standings
1. Akron (778.5)
2. Buffalo (641)
3. Miami (535)
4. Ohio (529.5)
5. Ball State (339)
6. Eastern Michigan (302)
7. Toledo (215)
8. Bowling Green (121)

2023 Women's Swimming & Diving Postseason Awards
Freshman Diver of the Year: Sydney Rice, Miami
Freshman Swimmer of the Year: Lauren Hartel, Ohio
Co-Outstanding Divers: Tori Franz & Mari Kwak, Buffalo
Diving Coach of the Year: Russ Dekker, Buffalo)
Co -Outstanding Swimmers: Abby Daniel, Akron; Nicole Maier, Miami
Swimming Coach of the Year: Brian Peresie, Akron

All-MAC First Team
Abby Daniel, Akron
Andrea Fischer, Akron
Giovanna Cappabianca, Akron
Madelyn Gatrall, Akron
Weronika Gorecka, Akron
Rebecca Reid, Akron
Rachel Sabotin, Akron
Marialis Kwak, Buffalo
Sawyer Bosley, Buffalo
Mia Naccarella, Buffalo
Toni Nacarella, Buffalo
Tori Franz, Buffalo
Greta Kolbeck, Miami
Madeline Padavic, Miami
Nicole Maier, Miami
Amy Hornyak, Ohio
Lauren Hartell, Ohio
McKenzie Grau, Ohio

All-MAC Second Team
Astrid Halvorsen, Akron
Gail Workman, Akron
Madeline Dyer, Akron
Paige Kalik, Akron
Rachel Schiffli, Akron
Rebecca Reid, Akron
Rachel Sabotin, Akron
Marcella Ribeiro, Ball State
Payton Kelly, Ball State
Clarice Fisher, Buffalo
Mia Naccarella, Buffalo 
Nicole Aguilar, Buffalo
Kiersten Russell, EMU
Emma Fortman, Ohio
Kennedy Lovell, Toledo