Eastern Michigan Athletics
Men's Swimming Picked to Win MAC; Women Selected Fourth
10/23/2008 4:16:14 PM | M. Swim & Dive
Men seeking third consecutive title and 28th overall
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Eastern Michigan University men’s swimming and diving team was picked to win the Mid-American Conference title, while the women’s team was selected to finish fourth in the annual poll, the conference office announced Thursday, Oct. 23. The men’s team will be seeking their third consecutive title and 28th in program history.
On the men’s side, head coach Peter Linn returns MAC Swimmer of the Year Derick Roe (Sidney, Ohio-Sidney), along with 11 other All-MAC honorees from last year’s championship team. The Eagles won last year’s championship meet by over 300 points, picking up their second title in as many years. EMU has also won 50 consecutive MAC dual meets, having not dropped a decision since the 1997-98 season.
Following EMU, Buffalo was picked to finish second, Miami third and Ball State fourth on the men’s side.
For the women, the Eagles lost three-time MAC Swimmer of the Year Madeleine Pilchard (Marietta, Ga.-Walton) to graduation, but return four All-MAC performers in Alissa Ricard (Tucson, Ariz.-Catalina Foothills), Ashley Durand (Lincoln, Neb.-Lincoln Southeast), Hannah Burandt (Parma, Ohio-Parma) and Leeza Moser (Vicksburg, Mich.) from last year’s third-place squad. Ohio, the 2008 MAC Champion, was picked to repeat, with Miami and Toledo picked to finish second and third respecitively. After EMU, Bowling Green and Buffalo finished in a tie for fifth place, with Akron and Ball State rounding out the poll.
The women open their season Friday, Oct. 31, at 5 p.m. when they travel to Bowling Green, Ohio to take on the Falcons. The men open their season, Friday, Nov. 7, at 5 p.m. when they play host to MAC opponent Buffalo at Jones Natatorium.
Men's Poll
1. Eastern Michigan
2. Buffalo
3. Miami
4. Ball State
Women's Poll
1. Ohio
2. Miami
3. Toledo
4. Eastern Michigan
t-5. Bowling Green
t-5. Buffalo
7. Akron
8. Ball State
