HIRAM, Ohio – The Lady Barons finished out the fall semester strong with a dual meet against Hiram College and Defiance College. The team swam hard and fast, losing to Hiram 127-97 but defeating Defiance 130-62.
The Lady Barons displayed their strength as a group when they took first in the 200 medley relay, with a great start from freshman Nicole Marshall. Head Coach Rebecca Recznik said that the girls dropped a ton of time from the last time swimming this event, going from 2:23.09 to 2:16.80 in meter time.
"That's our best relay," Recznik said. "The girls are really fast."
Not only did Marshall have a great start in the 200 medley really, but was also strong in her other events; taking first in both the 200 individual medley and the 200 backstroke event.
"She's such a consistent swimmer. She got first place in both of her events and I think that's just a reflection of how hard she's working at practices," Recznik said. "I think the 100 back is more of her specialty than the 200 IM so I was expecting good things. She had a really hard race against one of the other girls and kicked it in high gear in the last 25 meters."
Another highlight of the meet came from senior Molly Coogan, who took first in the 100 breastroke in an extremely tight race against one of her opponents.
"She was swimming against a girl who basically swims the exact same time she does, so they were neck and neck the whole race," Recznik said. "Molly really dug deep the last 25 meters."
Coogan finished the event at 1:27.54, while her closely timed opponent finished at 1:27.64
Recznik said she's extremely proud of the team as a whole, specifically for all the effort they've showed since their last meet two weeks ago.
"I think that all of the races just really reflected how hard they've been working since the last meet," Recznik said. "I think it shows a lot of promise for where we have to go next semester."
The Lady Barons will continue their season with a meet at home next semester on January 10, against University of Pitt-Bradford and Frostburg State.
