UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO ATHLETICS
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The University at Buffalo swimming and diving team was tabbed to finish fourth in the conference by the 2018 Mid-American Conference Women’s Swimming and Diving Coaches’ Preseason Poll.
The polling, which concluded on Wednesday, unanimously selected Akron to repeat as 2018-19 MAC champions this season. The Zips were also picked to finish first in the conference during the regular season, receiving all eight first-place votes.
The Bulls were also picked behind Eastern Michigan and just nine points behind Miami (OH), who they defeated soundly last season in a 198-102 rout over the Redhawks. Buffalo was also picked to finish higher than Bowling Green, Ohio, Toledo and Ball State.
Buffalo finished the 2017-18 season on a high note as they swept through MAC play and closed out their regular season with an unblemished dual meet record, 8-0, (4-0 MAC). The Bulls also had an impressive showing at the MAC Championships in Athens, Ohio last season, as Buffalo was able to collect 573 points which was good for third place in the eight team field, matching the 2016-17 year as the program-best finish at the conference championships. UB finished the sesason with two athletes being selected for First Team All-MAC and four athletes on Second Team All-MAC squads.
Returning for the Bulls this season is sophomore Nicole Roitenberg, who looks to build upon her impressive freshman campaign in which she posted a fourth place finish in the MAC Championships in the 200 backstroke event, earning her Second Team All-MAC honors. Also returning for the Bulls is sophomore Brittney Beetcher, who collected individual victories against Toledo and Niagara in the 200 butterfly and 800 freestyle events, and junior Andrea Ernst who earned a silver medal in the MAC Championships 400 Freestyle Relay event, posting a season-best time of 3:19.06. Both Beetcher and Ernst earned Second Team All-MAC honors at the conclusion of the season.
In the diving well, Buffalo returns junior Olivia Gosselin, who collected a victory against Cornell in the 1-meter dive event last season. Additionally, sophomore Journi Northorp will look to build off of her impressive freshman season, as she posted a career-best score of 265.65 to take second place in the 3-meter dive event against Miami (OH) last year.
The Bulls open up their 2018-19 campaign next weekend as they host Cornell on Saturday at noon.
2018 MAC Women’s Swimming and Diving Coaches’ Preseason Poll
1. Akron (8) – 64
2. Eastern Michigan – 51
3. Miami – 50
4. BUFFALO – 41
5. Bowling Green – 25
6. Ohio – 23
7. Toledo – 21
8. Ball State – 13
1. Akron (8) – 64
2. Eastern Michigan – 51
3. Miami – 50
4. BUFFALO – 41
5. Bowling Green – 25
6. Ohio – 23
7. Toledo – 21
8. Ball State – 13
MAC Tournament Champion: Akron (8)
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