When the Bobcats visit the SPIRE Institute in Geneva this Saturday, the team will be testing unchartered waters.
With the Mid-American Conference Championships more than a month away, Ohio (4-1, 2-0 MAC) will have the chance to not only make a statement inside the conference, but also test the pool it will be competing in for its 12
th
MAC Championship.
“Since we’re swimming at SPIRE Institute, it will be a good chance to feel things out,” Senior Rachel Stearns said. “The MAC Championship will be there and it will be a good chance to get used to their water, walls and pool.”
Ohio, which is coming off a record-setting dual meet against Denison, will look to overcome Akron as the Bobcats feel more rested since coming off its second full week of practice.
“When we came back from Florida we never really recovered from it,” Stearns said. “But it’s winter training, so you’re really supposed to be tired from it. It’s been two weeks since then and we have had some quality practices.”
The Zips (3-5, 0-3 MAC) have been a team of two tales. After dropping the first two meets of the new year, Akron has rolled past St. Francis and Youngstown.
“We’re really going to be tested on where (we are),” Head Coach Derick Roe said. “Akron is a good team and it’ll be exciting to race in the Spire pool.”
This season, the Bobcats are averaging 153.1 points per meet, which is the exact average it posted through five meets last season.
“It’s fun to swim on the road,” Stearns said. “It’s kind of like going into the unknown. When you’re away, you have to get used to the different lighting and walls in the pool. I wouldn’t say we get energy from being on the road, but it definitely can be fun to travel and adapt.”
As the season is coming closer and closer to the finish line, Roe has confidence that each swimmer can meet his expectations, which include out-swimming the Zips.
However, the teams not competed head-to-head in a dual meet since 2009.
“I’m expecting everyone to do well,” Roe said. “I’m really excited to see what everyone can do against Akron and see what times we put up on the board.”
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