EMU Captures Second at MAC Championships

ATHENS, Ohio -- For the first time in eight years, the Eastern Michigan University men’s swimming and diving team did not capture the Mid-American Conference Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship. The 2006 MAC Championship was won by Miami University, who edged the Eagles 888.5-881 in overall points.

Heading into the final day of competition, EMU trailed Miami by 11.5 points. The Eagles lost points on day two in the 200-yard medley relay team was disqualified for starting early, resulting in zero team points, while Miami claimed first place and 20 team points. The teams went back-and-forth over the course of the finale, but the RedHawks would prevail.

The Eagles were rewarded with six members of the All-MAC First Team and five members of the All-MAC Second Team. Loren "Buck" Smith was named MAC Diving Coach of the Year. Ball State’s Kurtis Leer and Miami’s Scott Robson won the MAC Senior Swimmer of the Year award. Miami’s Paul Ricard was named the MAC Swimmer of the Year while teammate Chris Heaton was named MAC Diver of the Year. The RedHawks’ Pete Lindsay was named MAC Swimming Coach of the Year.

Senior Kevin Joyce, juniors Jason Piercey, Preston Revere and Dan Wohl, and freshman Ryan Fulkerson and Mark Kurtzer were named to the all-league first team. Senior Andrew Ciesielski, junior Steven Hill, sophomore Steven Bowling and freshman Donald Ellison and Andy Gantzer were named to the all-conference second team.

In the 1650-yard freestyle race Eastern has three of the top five finishers. Piercey finished second over 14 seconds behind Miami’s Ricard. Hill placed fourth with Bowling placing right behind in fifth.

Kurtzer won the MAC Championship in the 200-yard backstroke with a 1:51.05 time. Ciesielski finished sixth in the event.

In the 100-yard freestyle, Joyce finished .14 seconds behind BSU’s Leer for first. Revere finished third, while Gantzer placed sixth.

In the 200-yard breaststroke Ellison lost by .03 seconds to Miami’s Griffin Marshall. Freshman Adam Wohl placed fifth.

In the 200-yard butterfly Dan Wohl failed in his attempt to be a three-time three event winner at the MAC Championships. Wohl finished second in the event, but did win the 200 and 400-yard IM titles this season.

In the 3-meter diving junior Josh Olson placed third with sophomore Kendall Rahn and freshman Matt Guinen placing fourth and fifth respectively.

In the final event of the day and the overall championship decided the Eagles emerged victorious in the 400-yard freestyle relay race. The team of Revere, Gantzer, Dan Wohl and Joyce finished in 3:02.44.

All-MAC First Team
Paul Ricard, Miami
Kurtis Leer, Ball State
Dan Wohl, EMU
Justin Marcy, Miami
Griffin Marshall, Miami
Chris Heaton, Miami
Mike Donohoe, Miami
Mark Kurtzer, EMU
Theo Kuczek, Miami
Stephen D'Arrigo, Ohio
Kevin Joyce, EMU
Jason Piercey, EMU
Ryan Fulkerson, EMU
Preston Revere, EMU
Adam Konopka, Ball State

All-MAC Second Team
Luke Herlehy, Ohio
Blake Norman, Miami
Scott Robson, Miami
Steve Bowling, EMU
Andrew O'Neill, Miami
Steven Hill, EMU
Donald Ellison, EMU
Andrew Ciesielski, EMU
Andy Gantzer, EMU
Nick DuPuis, Miami
Josh Schum, Ball State
Patrick Carroll, Miami
Matt Bey, Ohio
Ritchie Caudill, Ball State
Andy Amyot, Miami

Senior Swimmer of the Year
Kurtis Leer, Ball State
Scott Robson, Miami

Swimmer of the Year
Paul Ricard, Miami
Diver of the Year
Chris Heaton, Miami

Swimming Coach of the Year
Pete Lindsay, Miami

Diving Coach of the Year
Loren "Buck" Smith, EMU

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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