Recap courtesy of Ohio's Athletic Communications Department

ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio swimming and diving team opened the home slate of the schedule Thursday evening (Oct. 15) against Illinois State at the Ohio University Aquatics Center. After the first day of the event, Ohio leads Illinois State, 133.00-31.00. 

In the first event of the night, the 1-meter dive, senior Astrid Pichardo took first with a score of 295.65, followed by freshman Maggie Strange in second with a score of 267.67. Sophomore Bella Basford finished in third with a score of 258.68. 

In the 200 free relay, the Ohio 'A' team of senior Zita Szoke, sophomore Tori Wittenberg, senior Katie Buroker and junior Jordan Claypoole took first place, finishing with a time of 1:31.14. In the leadoff position of the relay, Szoke set the new Ohio record in the 50 free, with a time of 22.06, beating her previous record by .04 seconds. 

In the 1,000 free, freshman Josie Marino took first place with a time of 10:21.07, followed by sophomore Katrina Kollin in second (10:24.54). 

In the 200 IM, the Bobcats took the top three spots with sophomore Juliette Daigneault taking first in 2:03.97, followed by junior Juliana Slaninka in second (2:06.01) and sophomore Jana Macik in third with a time of 2:06.53.

In the 200-yard breaststroke, sophomore Reese Benton placed third with a time of 2:22.33, followed by freshman Molly Gonzalez in fourth (2:22.44) and Marino in fifth (2:24.62). 

The 200-back saw Ohio take the top four spots, starting with sophomore Lily Baumgartner in first, finishing with a time of 1:58.06. Senior Melanie Schweikert placed second in 1:58.13, followed by Slaninka in third (2:02.16) and freshman Gabrielle Freeman in fourth (2:05.04). 

Macik took first in the 200 fly, finishing with a time of 2:01.34, followed by senior Isabella Arbaugh in second (2:06.38) and Marino in third (2:06.87). 

Szoke won the 100 free with a time of 47.89, followed by junior Ashlyn Morr in second with a time of 50.22. Wittenberg placed third with a time of 50:48, while Buroker finished in fourth (51.22). 

In the final event of the night, the 400 medley relay, the Ohio 'A' team of Schweikert, Szoke, Claypoole and Wittenberg placed first, finishing with a time of 3:43.49. 

Ohio and Illinois State are back in action on Friday, Oct. 16 to conclude the two-day meet. Events are set to begin with the 3-meter dive at 10 a.m. ET inside the Ohio University Aquatics Center.