It’s time for the Falcon swim team to open Mid-American Conference play.
It’s time to build off the offseason workouts, all the scrimmages and new head coach Petra Martin.
Coming off an impressive showing at the Tom Stubbs Relays two weeks ago, the Falcons have shown the grit and determination it will take for a successful season.
The Falcons will host the Akron Zips Saturday at Cooper Pool starting at 1 p.m.
The Zips come back to Cooper Pool after they swam in the Tom Stubbs Relays two weeks ago. BG came away with more success, winning more events, but Akron wasn’t a pushover.
The Zips earned first place in three of the 10 relay events and were very competitive.
The meet will consist of 14 events, which will include five freestyle races, 100 and 200 yard butterfly, breaststroke and backstroke, 400 yard individual medley and two relays.
Last year the Zips beat the Falcons in the last meet of the season 183-111.
With experienced swimmers not returning for both teams, including the Falcons’ own Meg Richardson, it will be a fresh start for the new conference season.
The Falcons do, however, return some talent for a successful season. Vicky Yu and Sarah Burston share the BG record time in the 100 butterfly.
They also have the two best times in Falcon history in the 200 butterfly. Amanda Rom also has the record time for the 100 breaststroke.
Martin was satisfied with what she saw in the Tom Stubbs Relays, but wanted to see some improvement before the conference meets began.
“We have come along with our training, we are stronger and technical things are getting better, including our starts,” Martin said. “I expect us to race hard, go 100 percent do things correctly and to not get out of our comfort zone.”
The Zips are coming off a 2-5 mark in conference last year, with the Falcons being one of their wins.
The Falcons were 1-6 last year in the conference, but made an impressive showing at the Tom Stubbs Relays, winning six of the 10 relays.
This will be the first complete meet for the Falcons. Akron is already 0-2 after losing to Illinois and Pittsburgh.
BG will try to avenge the loss last year with a good showing against the Zips this year.
