WILMINGTON, Ohio – The Wilmington College women's swimming team narrowly fell to the University of Mount Union 145-107 in an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) dual meet on Friday evening. The meet was also the final home meet for seniors Ellyse Herr and Rachel O'Donnell.
"This is the part of the season where your mental state has to carry you through as everyone is a beat beaten up," Head Women's Swimming Coach Trip Breen said. "When you can race like we did today even when you're tired, that gives us a lot to look forward to when we start to rest in a week or so."
Macki Leon won all three individual events she competed in, winning the 200-meter freestyle (2:19.92), the 200-meter backstroke (2:39.54) and the 200-yard IM (2:42.38). She also teamed up with Margaret Hover, Hannah Davis and Herr to win the 200-meter freestyle relay with a time of 2:01.53.
"Mackie Leon is really racing well," said Breen. "The 200-meter freestyle was her best of her in-season career thus far."
Kadie Grundy was the other Fightin' Quaker to win an event, taking the title in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 1:17.24.
O'Donnell, swimming for the final time in the Wilmington Natatorium, finished with two solid times in distance races – 10:45.45 in the 800-meter freestyle and 5:17.36 in the 400-meter freestyle.
"Rachel O'Donnell had two great distance events for her," Breen said. "To watch our seniors improve over the course of their careers, that's what it's all about for me."
Wilmington heads to John Carroll University for an OAC dual next weekend before hosting the OAC Swimming & Diving Championships in Akron on Feb. 14-16.
