Heading into their meet against Ohio University, the Bulls women's swim team had its guard up for a team that was predicted to win the 2009 Mid-American Conference Championship by coaches across the conference.
The Bulls proved that predictions aren't always right.
On Saturday, the Bulls (2-1, 1-1 MAC) defeated an Ohio team (0-2, 0-2 MAC) that was expected to be the best in the conference, 162.5 to 137.5.
Defeating such a powerhouse team, giving the Bulls a winning record, is something head coach Andy Bashor is extremely happy with.
"I'm so proud of them," he said. "They kept battling all the way and never stopped competing."
The Bobcats came out flying through the first four individual events, earning first place victories in each. The momentum shifted when Buffalo came back fighting. Freshman Brynn Marecki won the 100-meter breaststroke (1:04.84), then sophomore Jessie Koltz finished first in the 50-meter freestyle (24.16).
But the Bulls still found themselves down 16 points heading into the first diving event. Buffalo, riding the momentum from Mareck's and Koltz's victories, came out strong and took control of three more swimming events.
Sophomore Jordan Deren was victorious in the 500-meter freestyle (5:06.80), while Mareck (2:20.70) and freshman Alison Schrimers (2:24.84) finished first and second respectively, in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Junior Caitlin Reilly got the key victory when she finished first in the 200-meter backstroke (2:07.70). This propelled the Bulls to take the lead before entering in the second round of diving.
"Caitlin was behind the whole race and then came back at the end," Bashor said "I think that's when we started to think, 'We can do this', with real confidence."
Junior Meili Carpenter swept the diving events, winning the one-meter event with a score of 289.50 and the three-meter event with a score of 276.98. This propelled the Bulls into the lead by nine points going into the final two events.
The meet was nearly sealed with 1-2-3 finishes by the Bulls in the 200-meter individual medley (IM). Junior Jessica Ballard ended on top with Schrimers and Marecki finishing behind her, putting the Bulls in a spot to win.
"The 200 IM was when I saw that the meet could be ours," Bashor said.
The 400-meter freestyle relay finished the meet with a nail biter. Buffalo and Ohio tied for first, both with a 3:32.25. Because of the tie, the Bulls put another victory on their shoulders.
"This was a big day for us," Bashor said. "It showed that we can beat a team like this. We came a long way in three years."
The Bulls go to Ypsilanti, Mich. next weekend to swim against the Eastern Michigan Eagles. They will travel with the men for a combined dual meet next Friday at 5 p.m.
