The Miami University men's swimming and diving team fell 125-175 to Mid-American Conference (MAC) foe Eastern Michigan University on senior day, while the women's team earned its eighth straight victory of the season with an 176-124 decision over the Eagles.
The men's squad (4-3, 1-2 MAC) tasted defeat for the second straight weekend after being downed 134-166 by the University at Buffalo.
The women's team (8-1, 6-0 MAC) has not been beaten in conference play since the 2011-12 season.
"We were behind the backs of our seniors," junior Sam Crockett said. "Sophomores got wins and seniors got wins, so it was great to see that team effort. EMU won the conference last year, and it was like a boxing match today, punch after punch."
Seniors Sean Minderlein, Michael Cavanaugh, Dan Nemeth and junior Joe Baumgartner and freshman Grant Stafford all picked up wins for the RedHawks. The relay team of Baumgartner, Stafford, sophomore Evan Bader and sophomore Heshan Unamboowe took first in the 200-medley relay.
"We've got a fast class coming in with some big shoes to fill," junior Andrew Kilkenny said. "EMU is our biggest rival, so we're chipping away at them. They came out on top but we're getting faster and we're getting better."
On the women's side, junior Katie Bootsma claimed the 100 and 200-meter backstroke as the Red and White had eight wins in individual events. Junior Courtney Collett, senior Cynthia Donovan, sophomore Aubrey Kluth, freshman Stephanie LeMire and juniors Annie Marquiss and Stephanie Pearce also tallied victories.
The 'Hawks also posted victories in two relay events as LeMire, Donovan, senior Brianna Fujan and sophomore Emma Szczupakiewicz took the 200-medley relay and the team of Marquiss, sophomore Sara Krueger, sophomore Natalie Rohr and junior Caitlin Fujan placed first in the 400-freestyle relay.
"This [meet] was as close as we've been in all year," head coach Mark Davis said. "It's good to show what we're made of. Taking the top three spots in the 1000 freestyle really set the tone ... It was good to see Marquiss and the distance group step up. This is probably the best Eastern team since 2008 ... We've got the Battle of the Bricks next week. Throw the records out. It will be a good meet and senior night for us."
The RedHawks return to action Saturday when the men's team hits the road to take on Ball State University, while the women's team squares off against Ohio University in the Nixon Aquatic Center Saturday for senior day.
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