The Buffalo men and women's swimming teams made a splash this weekend with two meets at the Alumni Arena pool. With losses on Friday, both teams were looking to make a comeback on Saturday and made the most of their opportunity.
The men (2-1, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) hosted Eastern Michigan on Friday evening as well as Ball State on Saturday afternoon. Dropping the first match against one MAC rival, both teams were able to come back and score impressive victories against another conference rival.
On the men's side of the competition, Eastern Michigan (3-1, 1-0 MAC) was able to amass 136.5 points to the Bulls 94.5, but the meet was not a complete disappointment to all Buffalo swimmers.
Junior Zach Ruske was able to reach a season-best in the 200-yard freestyle event with a time of 1:44.32, tying for first place in the process. Ruske was also able to reach another season best along with teammate sophomore Andrew Tamchyna in the 200-yard backstroke event.
Ruske finished in second place with a time of 1:53.64 while Tamchyna was able to win the event with a time of 1:53.31. Sophomore Kevin Song turned in a season best performance in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:15.10. Junior Diver Mike McDowell was able to win the diving portion of the competition with 298.20 points.
The Buffalo women (2-3, 1-3 MAC) were not able to come out victorious either against a tough Eastern Michigan team (5-1, 3-1 MAC), losing 144-97, but there were season best standouts for their swimmers as well.
Sophomore Andrea Lehner shattered the school record mark for the 500-yard freestyle event with a time of 4:56.97. She was also involved in a season best time for the 200-yard medley relay along with teammates Ashley Schaffert, Sam Palma, and Jessie Koltz, finishing with a time of 1:47.92. Sophomore diver Meili Carpenter was able to win her diving competition with 292.95 points.
Despite falling short on Friday, both teams bounced right back on Saturday afternoon, defeating Ball State. The men won by a score of 129-113, while the women defeated the Falcons 143.5-99.5.
The men's team showed impressive improvements, winning nine of the 19 events. Ruske was again impressive, winning the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1:58.06, and the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 47.95. His freestyle time marked another season best for Ruske who was also part of the 400-yard medley relay team that won their race with a time of 3:34.36.
Sophomore swimmer Connor Vander Zalm won two long distance events, first the 1,650-yard freestyle with a time of 16:49.13, and then the 500-yard freestyle in a time of 4:51.01. Senior Mike Hurst won the 200 yard butterfly event, posting a personal, as well as team season best time of 1:59.56. McDowell was again successful winning the one-meter and three-meter events with scores of 310.43, and 350.85.
The women also found their groove against Ball State, also winning nine of 13 events. Lehner won the 200-yard and 100-yard freestyle events as well as finishing tops in the 200-yard backstroke.
Sophomore Jessie Klotz won the 50-yard freestyle event with a time of 24.34 seconds, a season-best mark for her. This was the second day in a row Klotz was able to win the event. The Buffalo women were also able to win both the 400-yard medley and 200-yard freestyle relays with times of 3:58.47 and 152.44. Carpenter was again able to dominate the diving competition in the meet, winning both the one-meter and three-meter event.
Both the men and women swimmers will have some time off until their next competitions that will come at the Summacare Invitational in Akron, Ohio on Nov. 30.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
