Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
MAC Championship
Women's Swimming and Diving Heads to MAC Championship
2/23/2009 12:33:32 PM | Swimming & Diving
Eagles looking for third title in program history after winning back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007
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FOR THE 33RD TIME: The 2008-09 season marks the 33rd season of Eastern Michigan University women's swimming and diving. The program was started in 1976 under head Mike Cook with the Eagles going 5-3-1 in the inaugural year. EMU has had eight coaches throughout the years, with Peter Linn taking over in 2004. As women's coach, Linn has helped the Eagles to two Mid-American Conference Championships while boasting a 41-14 overall record and a 27-9 MAC mark in four years.
CHAMPIONSHIP TIME!: It is that time of year with the Eastern Michigan University women's swimming and diving team heading to Bowling Green, Ohio for the Mid-American Conference Championship. The Eagles will take on the other seven MAC schools in the four-day meet hosted by Bowling Green State University. EMU heads to the meet with a 5-2 MAC record, losing to only Ohio and Toledo this season. The Green and White will be looking for the third overall title in school history after winning back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007.
LAST YEAR'S CHAMPIONSHIP: At last season's MAC Championship, the Eagles took third place behind three-time MAC Swimmer of the Year Madeleine Pilchard. Current senior Alissa Ricard was named first team All-MAC, while Ashley Durand, Leeza Moser and Hannah Burandt were all selected to the second team. Former diver Becky Renkola was also named to the second team after the meet. The Eagles totaled 575 points at the meet, with Ohio winning the title in 2008.
SENIOR DAY AGAINST OHIO: Prior to the Feb. 7 meet against the Bobcats, EMU honored its very successful senior class. The 2009 class of Hannah Burandt, Ashley Durand, Lindsey Hayden, Chantelle Lonsdale, Emily Mekesa, Alissa Ricard and Summer Wood has been an integral part of EMU swimming and diving the past four year, helping the Eagles to back-to-back MAC titles in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
UPPING THE ANTE: Since the calendar turned to 2009, the Eagles have been taking on some tougher competition. The Eagles have faced three ranked mid-major teams, going 2-1 in those contests. EMU dropped a close, 144-155 decision at then-No. 7 Oakland (Jan. 10). Eastern rebounded by defeating Wayne State (Jan. 23), the No. 1 team in Division II. Next up for EMU was the then-No. 1 mid-major swimming team, Miami. The Eagles won seven of the first nine events to earn the dual meet victory. EMU continued its competition against ranked teams against Ohio, the No. 10 team in mid-major swimming, falling to the Bobcats, 175-119.
