As they begin to dive deeper into the heart of their season, the Bowling Green State University swimming and diving team gets ready to face yet another tough competitor tomorrow- the Ohio University Bobcats.

Like BGSU, OU also lost to Eastern Michigan last weekend 141-102 but they tied Toledo 149-149. Their coach, Greg Werner, had never led a team to a tie until last season against the University of Akron. Now a year later, it happened again against Toledo. The Falcons hope to keep the Bobcats’ winless this weekend.

“They have a strong tradition. They’ve placed either first or second in the MAC for I don’t know how many years. When I took the team we were in last. Everybody will have to work hard,” said coach Keri Buff.

While BGSU has improved since Buff took over the team to fifth place in the 2005 Mid-American Conference Swimming and Diving Championships, OU was the runner-up and the host of the championships. Although, the Bobcats beat out the Falcons in the MAC this past year, this is a new season.

This weekend will be OU’s first road trip of the season as they also face Kenyon tonight. But as far as OU is concerned, they are keeping their eyes on BG senior Stephanie Buckner who won the MAC last year in the 100-yard freestyle event with a time of 51.25. Buckner also holds the BG record in the 100-yard freestyle, second in the 50-yard freestyle and sixth in the 200-yard freestyle on BGSU’s Top Swimmer’s list.

“She [Buckner] has nothing to prove to OU; she’s on track to keep her title. We’re training hard and keeping our eye on the end of the season,” said Buff, referring to the MAC championships.

Buckner might have some competition from OU freshman Ashley Marion in the 100-yard freestyle. Marion won in this event against Toledo in a final and personal best time of 52.40.

“There should be several close races for us. These girls go into every meet expecting to do their best,” Buff said. “We put everything we have in every meet we swim or dive.”

The meet begins at 1 p.m.