Oilers Take Part at Ashland Last Chance

The University of Findlay men's and women's swimming and diving teams spent the day at Ashland University looking to improve their chances at qualifying for the NCAA championship in March.

The women's squad consisting of Jessica Ward, Kaley Holmstrom, Molly Cade and Ailsa Hershaw looked to improve their times from last week's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) championship.  All four competed in the 400-yard medley relay falling just short of their time last week in 3:48.70. 

Holmstrom took part in the 100-yard breaststroke swimming in 1:04.39, just shy of last week's performance. Molly Cade competed in the 200-yard butterfly also just off her time last week with a 2:04.92. 

Ward improved her odds at qualifying in the 200-yard backstroke shaving off nearly half a second finishing in 2:02.04.

Holmstrom also competed in the 200-yard breaststroke improving her time from last week going 2:19.80, but shy of her school record set earlier this year.

The lone men's participant Todo Djurovic swam the 400-yard individual medley finishing in a 4:03.33.

"I am really proud of the effort our smaller squad gave us today," head coach Andrew Makepeace explained.  "Swimming fast two consecutive weeks is a very large challenge.  I was impressed with the effort we gave; now we await the selection process on Tuesday to see who will be invited to the NCAA championship".

The Oilers next meet is the NCAA championship which starts March 11 in Geneva, Ohio at the Spire Institute.