"Welcome to My House."
The Ashland University men's and women's swimming team produced an impressive winter break video (found here) in January, incorporating the hit track by FloRida. The Eagles now try to produce something else, a collective winning effort at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference swimming and diving championships in Waterford Township, Mich.
The four-day championship event begins on Wednesday (Feb. 10), hosted by Wayne State.
"Our focus and our drive during this taper section of the season has just been tremendous to see," said head coach Derick Roe. "They've been working unbelievably hard, and I think the times we've been seeing in practice are giving us a really, really good idea of what we are going to be seeing over the next week at the GLIAC Championships, and we could not be more excited."
Senior All-American Hannah Mattar returns for her fourth and final GLIAC Championships. Mattar won three conference titles in 2015, placing first in the 200-yard individual medley, 400 IM and 200 breaststroke. Mattar was named the 2015 GLIAC women's Swimmer of the Year for her efforts.
"It's definitely a very exciting time," Mattar commented. "It's kind of bittersweet, because this is my last GLIAC meet, but I'm super excited. The team is ready to go, I think we're going to have a lot of fast swims."
Hannah Mattar
Also returning for his second GLIAC Championships is the defending GLIAC Freshman of the Year, Ryan Deemer. Deemer is the defending 1,000 free conference champion. He won the title with the conference-quick time of 9:24.61. Deemer also was crowned champion in the men's 500 free (4:36.72).
Ryan Deemer
Sophomore Grace Reichard earned a GLIAC title as freshman in 2015. Reichard claimed to the women's 200 free in a time 1:51.67. She looks to add to her titles again in 2016.
A host of other Eagles look to be in the mix as a conference threat. Senior Kaylyn Murphy has been quick in the 50 and 100 free this season, and looks poised to make a run for a title. Don't count out the likes of senior Sergio Sanchis Peris and sophomore Christopher Georgiadis, either.
Day 1 of the GLIAC Championships at Waterford Mott High School will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 10).
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