Akron (Women Only)
Bulls Zip Past Akron in Women's Swimming
11/3/2012 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women's swimming and diving team scored a 165-133 victory over visiting Akron Saturday afternoon at Alumni Arena Natatorium as the Bulls opened the Mid-American Conference slate.
Senior Brittney Kuras won a pair of freesttyle races on Saturday to lead the Bulls (1-0, 1-0 MAC). Kuras set a season-best in taking the 200-yard freestyle in 1:49.31, slicing more than three seconds off her mark from the WNY Invite on October 13. She also won the 100-yard freestyle in 50.84, in her first competitive swim at the distance this season. Kuras also was the top finisher in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:07.70 as the Bulls exhibitioned the final two events after clinching enough points to earn the team victory.
Jessica Powers won both distance freestyle races. Powers won the 1,000-yard freestyle in 10:18.18. She also took the 500-yard freestyle in 5:00.92, almost three seconds faster than her mark in the WNY Invite.
Spencer Rodriguez was also double winner, sweeping the breaststroke races in season-best times. She won the 100-yard distance in 1:06.11, slicing three-quarters of a second from her previous best, then claimed the 200-yard race in 2:23.68, nearly two seconds ahead of her previous pace.
Diver Ava Giachino claimed victory on both boards on Saturday. Giachino won the 1-meter event with a six-dive total score of 258.83 and followed with a 276.15 showing on the three-meter board.
Mallory Morrell also set a season-best in winning the 50-yard freestyle in 23.37.
Claudia Doyle, Rodriguez, Kuras and Morrell combined to win the 200-yard medley relay in a season-best 1:45.25.
"I really liked the way we performed today, Akron is a really good team," said head coach Andy Bashor. "They stepped up to the challenge. We've had a good couple of weeks of practice and it showed."
The Bulls travel to Colgate and Army next week for non-league matches. UB will face the Raiders in Hamilton on Friday, November 9 at 5:30 p.m. The Bulls and Black Knights will square off on Saturday, November 10 at 12:00 pm. Both meets will be held in conjunction with the UB men's squad hitting the water for the first time in two weeks.
