FORT MYERS, Fla. – Hosting three different programs, the FGCU swimming and diving team (6-6, 2-1 CCSA) knocked off previously unbeaten Bowling Green (7-2, 1-0 MAC) 175-120 and Buffalo (0-3, 0-1 MAC) 172-117.
The lone loss came at the hands of conference rival Liberty (11-0, 3-0 CCSA) by a final score of 173-122. In the process, it halted a dominant regular-season winning streak FGCU held over CCSA foes dating back to the 2008 season when the Eagles were defeated by Georgia Southern.
"We knew today would be a challenge based on various injuries and illnesses our ladies have been dealing with," said head coach
Dave Rollins. "However, we are not making excuses and it's about how we will respond from the loss that will teach us the most. It was fantastic to get a couple of wins against two strong MAC opponents but we learn the most from our losses. We'll evaluate where we are, make adjustments, get healthy and come back better than we were today."
FGCU's relay teams displayed a strong performance in the pool Saturday afternoon as the Eagles claimed the 200-yard medley and 400 free relays. In the 200-yard medley, the team of
Doris Eichhorn (Berlin, Germany/HTW Berlin),
Petra Halmai (Dombovar, Hungary/Lanczos Kornel Secondari Grammar School),
Gracie Redding (Orlando, Fla./The First Academy/FSU) and
Rebecca Moynihan (Palmerston North, New Zealand/Waiopehu College) combined for a swim of 1:45.99. In the 400-yard free, Moynihan led off with her fastest time of the afternoon (51.80) as her teammates
Hannah Burdge (Stuart, Fla./Martin County HS)
Wiktoria Czarnecka (Lublin, Poland./Liceum nr 10 w Lublinie) and Redding rounded out the relay for a time of 3:27.98.
In addition to the relays, FGCU collected a pair of individual first-place finishes. Redding captured the 50 free event with a time of 23.53 while Halmai turned in a 2:06.02 performance in the 200 IM – just two seconds over her from a season-best time. The Hungary native also produced two second-place finishes in the 100 (1:04.75) and 200 breast (2:18.78) – her best time ever in a dual meet.
Other notable times include freshman
Joslyn Filo (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel Area High School) notching her second fastest 50 free time this season at 24.67. On the boards,
Megan Wakefield (Guelph, Ontario, Canada/Centennial CVI) placed second on the 1-meter with a score of 244.45 while finishing third on the 3-meter spring (248.22). The 100 back event saw Eichhorn finish second (57.16) as
Christina Kaas Elmgreen (Charlottenlund, Denmark/Ordrup Gymnasium) registered third in the 200 fly (2:03.90).
UP NEXT
FGCU is back in action on Jan. 19 when it hosts Miami (3-3) on Senior Day. The dual is slated for a 6 pm start.
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-date coverage of FGCU women's swimming and diving, follow us on Twitter @FGCU_WSWIM and visit www.FGCUAthletics.com where full recaps and results will be available.
HEAD COACH DAVE ROLLINS
Entering into his third season, head coach, Dave Rollins is only the second head coach in program history, taking over on Sept. 1, 2016. In his second season, Rollins guided FGCU to back-to-back CCSA titles, as well as the program's fourth-straight and ninth championship in 10 years. In addition, he has been awarded CCSA Coach of the Year in each of his two seasons at the helm. Previously, Rollins was the associate head men's swimming coach at The Ohio State University. Rollins brings over a decade of coaching experience to The Nest, which includes Olympians, NCAA Champions and All-Americans along with multiple conference champions. A standout collegiate athlete in his own right, Rollins was inducted into the University of Arizona's Hall of Fame in 2017 as a nine-time NCAA All-American, national champion, school record holder and team captain.
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help.
