Franz Takes Gold as Bulls Stay Put in Second Place at MAC Championships

Thursday, February 24

Bowling Green, Ohio

Session I: 10:30 a.m. | Session II: 6:30 p.m.

Mid-American Conference Championships

Franz Takes Gold as Bulls Stay Put in Second Place at MAC Championships

2/24/2022 9:27:00 PM | Swimming and Diving

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The University at Buffalo women's swimming and diving team (5-0, 4-0 MAC) remain in second place after day two of the Mid-American Conference Championships. The Bulls earned five medals on the day to bring their total to seven.

The first event of the finals was the 500 freestyle. Sophomore Marij van der Mast claimed the bronze medal in 4:51.55. Maddy Rogan swam in the consolation final and finished 11^th overall in 4:56.70.

Two Bulls qualified for the consolation finals for the 200 IM. Katie Pollock would win the heat in a time of 2:00.00 that moves her to fourth all-time in program history. Clarice Fisher finished in 2:04.16, good for 13^th overall.

In one of the most exhilarating events, the 50 freestyle did not disappoint. Leading the way for the Bulls was Toni Naccarella who won the silver medal in 22.53-seconds. Jillian Lawton tied for third in 22.67-seconds with Rachel Schiffli from Akron. Sawyer Bosley placed fifth with a personal-best time of 22.90-seconds. Ellie Duley saw action in the consolation final and finished 14^th in 23.24-seconds.

In the diving well, the Bulls broke a 12-year gold medal drought in the 1-meter dive. For the first time since 2010, the gold medal is coming back to Buffalo. Junior Victoria Franz won the event with a score of 318.75 edging out Eastern Michigan's Bethany Berger by just 3.45 points. Franz joins Meili Carpenter as the only Bulls to win gold at the Mid-American Conference Championships in the 1-meter dive. Freshman Marialis Kwak finished in sixth place with a score of 266.40. Patricia Arceri won the consolation final to finish ninth overall with a score of 283.90.

To close out the evening was the 200 freestyle relay. The squad of Jillian Lawton, Toni Naccarella, Sawyer Bosley, and Ellie Duley finished in style as they set a program record of 1:29.43. They would finish in second place to take home the silver medal.

Headed into day three, the Bulls trail the Akron Zips by 84 points.

For complete results, click here.

NEXT UP
Day three of competition will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday morning. The prelims that will be held to start the day are the 100 butterfly, 400 IM, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, and the 100 backstroke. The 3-meter diving prelims will start at 3 p.m. The finals will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

DAY TWO STANDINGS

Akron – 312.5
Buffalo – 228.5
Eastern Michigan – 168
Miami (OH) – 153.5
Bowling Green – 134
Ohio – 132
Toledo - 107
Ball State – 92.5

THURSDAY CHAMPIONSHIP COVERAGE

CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

*FRIDAY, FEB. 25*	*SATURDAY, FEB. 26*
Preliminaries – 10:30 a.m. 100 Butterfly 400 IM 200 Freestyle 100 Breaststroke 100 Backstroke Diving Preliminaries – 3 p.m. 3-Meter Dive Finals – 6:30 p.m. 100 Butterfly 400 IM 200 Freestyle 100 Breaststroke 100 Backstroke 3-Meter Dive Consolation 400 Medley Relay	Preliminaries – 10:30 a.m. 200 Backstroke 100 Freestyle 200 Breaststroke 200 Butterfly Finals – 6:40 p.m. Senior Recognition (6:15 p.m.) 1650 Freestyle 200 Backstroke 100 Freestyle 200 Breaststroke 200 Butterfly 3-Meter Diving 400 Freestyle Relay Awards Ceremony