Women's Swimming & Diving wins 2009 OAC Championships title

Michelle Eggers

By Tim Glon

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AKRON -- The Ohio Northern women's swimming and diving team wrapped up their second Ohio Athletic Conference Championships title with a victory at the 2009 OAC Championships meet Saturday night at the University of Akron's Ocasek Natatorium.

The Polar Bears won 15 of the 20 events over the three days of competition to win the crown with 310 points. John Carroll was second with 214.5 points and Mount Union was third with 187 points.

Freshman Michelle Eggers was named the 2009 OAC Women's Swimmer of the Year, while Ohio Northern head coach Peggy Ewald and her staff were named the 2009 OAC Women's Coaching Staff of the Year. 

Eggers won the 1650 free title in 18:04.16, finishing more than 10 seconds ahead of the field in and bettering the previous school record by more than 34 seconds. 

She completed the distance events sweep of the Championships, as she won the 200 free and 500 free earlier in the weekend.

An Ohio Northern swimmer won the 200 breast for the sixth consecutive year, as sophomore Hannah Bukowy defended her 2008 crown by winning in 2:29.37.

Freshman Kaitlyn Early finished second in 2:30.14 to earn All-Conference accolades.

Junior Katherine Moore won the OAC crown in the 200 fly, finishing in 2:13.98. She completed the sweep of the butterfly events, winning the 100 fly earlier in the weekend.

Freshman Sarah Fiffick won the OAC title in the 100-yard freestyle, finishing in 54.37 seconds.

Eggers, junior Jillian Huber, Fiffick and freshman Alison Garbash won the 400 free relay in 3:39.90.

Junior Lacey Shumate earned All-OAC honors with a second place finish in the 200 back, finishing in 2:11.51.

Junior Terri Lynn Shigle earned All-Conference accolades with a third place finish in the 3-meter diving with a score of 325.40.