Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Ohio (Senior Day)
Eagles Host Ohio in Final MAC Meet
2/5/2009 11:28:15 AM | Swimming & Diving
EMU to honor senior class as part of Senior Day
Complete Release
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 41-13 overall record and a 29-9 MAC mark in four years.
EMU CONCLUDES REGULAR SEASON WITH OHIO: The Eastern Michigan University women's swimming and diving team concludes the 2008-09 regular season against Ohio University, welcoming the Bobcats to Jones Natatorium, Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. Ohio enters the meet as the No. 10 team in mid-major swimming and diving, according to the poll released by collegeswimming.com. OU is 8-3 on the year, with a 3-3 MAC mark after being tabbed as the preseason favorites to win the conference. The Bobcats defeated EMU last season in Athens, 161-139.
SENIOR DAY AGAINST OHIO: Prior to the meet against the Bobcats, EMU will honor 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.
LAST TIME OUT: The Eagles came away with a huge dual meet win last weekend (Jan. 31) at Jones Natatorium when they defeated Miami, 157-131. The RedHawks entered the meet as the MAC's only unbeaten team and as the No. 1 team in mid-major swimming. EMU won seven of the first nine events to build a comfortable lead early in the meet. The win marked the second consecutive season that the Eagles defeated the RedHawks.
RICARD NAMED SWIMMER OF THE WEEK: After helping EMU defeat Miami, senior swimmer Alissa Ricard was selected as the MAC Swimmer of the Week for the first time in her career. Against the RedHawks, Ricard won the 100 and 200 free races, while helping the 400 medley relay and 200 free relay teams to wins.
JONES ADVANTAGE: The Eagles have enjoyed the friendly confines of Jones Natatorium this season, sporting a perfect 5-0 dual meet mark at their home venue. Over the past four seasons, EMU is 20-3 at Jones, including winning the 2007 MAC Championship title at home. The Eagles were 7-0 in 2005-06, 4-1 in 2006-07 and 4-2 in 2007-08.
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 continues its competition against ranked teams this weekend against Ohio, the No. 10 team in mid-major swimming.
