John Carroll University Athletics

Day Two  Individual Event Capsules
 
Women’s 400 IM Preview
 
The top seed is Carly Adams of John Carroll with a time of 4:38.25. She is followed by seven swimmers all within 20 seconds of each other for this long and grueling race.
Adams.
Two-time defending champ, Julie Johnson of Transylvania, who finished first place in 2014 and 2015 and holds the OAC record with a time of 4:33.94, is opting out of this race in 2016. Instead, she will swim the 100 Fly.
Ohio Northern could potentially be stacked in the “A” final with Kasey Mucher (4:47.55), Kierra Watson (4:53.85), and Brianna Tingley (4:58.61, ranking third, fifth and seventh, respectively. Mucher finished just outside of All-OAC status in 2015 with a  fourth place showing.
Rose Aldo of Mount Union has twice been all-conference in this event, taking second in 2014 and third last year. She is seeded second in 2016 (4:44.61). Teammate Sara Gonda is seeded seventh (4:56.99).\
John Carroll is also loaded with four swimmers looking to make the top final in 2016 with Adams ranked first (4:38.35), followed by sophomores Allie McGreer (8th, 5:00.33), Emma Connell (9th, 5:00.63), and Alex Iosue (10th, 5:00.89) all within 0.5 seconds of each other in 9th, 10th, and 11th respectively.
Sarak Krupp is a rookie in a race full of veterans, but looking past the Baldwin Wallace freshman would be unwise. Her seed time of 4:51.90 is fourth best in the field.
 
Men’s 400 IM Preview
 
John Raker, the 2014 and 2015 400 IM champion, may take a peek in his rear view mirror and see a lot of purple. The Polar Bear junior sports the fastest seed time (4:13.56), but four of the next seven swimmers wear the Mount Union colors.
Brian Walker (4:17.06) and Jack Ineson (4:21.95) from Mount Union follow in second and third respectively, about four and seven seconds behind Raker.
Adding to the Purple Raider crew looking to pile up points in this race include seniors Marcus Zappa and Michael Branch, both of whom are three-time A finalists. Zappa, seeded fifth (4:25.38) had his best showing in 2014 when he took fourth, while Branch earned All-OAC accolades in 2013 with a third place effort. Branch is currently seeded seventh (4:25.44).
Eric Spraul (4:22.25) of Wilmington College would like to break up the Polar vs. Purple party up top. Last year he was just outside the top three – this year he is seeded fourth (4:22.25).
Another party crasher could be Baldwin Wallace’s Jacob Burk, who was third in 2014 and fifth in 2015. He is seeded a familiar fifth this year (4:23.01).
Raker would love to have some teammates on the podium, and Trevor Keriazes (8th, 4:26.61) and Michael Drake (9th, 4:27.50) have a chance. Drake placed eighth at last year’s OAC meet.
John Carroll has several A Final contenders with freshmen Jack Garrow, Alec Bryson, and Adam Bozsvai along with junior Ben Parker. All have seed times between 4:30.82 (Garrow, 10th) and 4:32.29 (Bozsvai, 13th).
Keep an eye on Mount Union senior Nik Barkley, twice an A finalist and seeded 15th (4:35.32).
 
Women’s 100 Fly Preview
 
The 100 Butterfly this year will feature one of the league’s most consistently dominant swimmers as  Julia Johnson of Transylvania takes her talents to the spped race that is the 100 Fly.
Seeded first with a time of 59.07, Johnson has the league’s only sub-minute time.
Chandler Ashbaugh of Baldwin Wallace is next in line with a time of 1:00.34, but there are four swimmers within a second of Ashbaugh, who was runner-up a year ago.
The next three seeds belong to John Carroll competitors -- Anne Crowley (1:00.60) in third, Margaret Zagrobleny (1:00.83) in fourth, and Sophie Kocheff (1:01.04) in fifth. Crowley was a fifth place finisher in 2015, while Zagrobelny has twice swam in the A final, both times placing in the top five.
Caroline Buehl of Mount Union has been a model of perseverance in this event.  Seeded sixth with a time of 1:01.40, the senior has steadilyn improved her finish each year, moving from 12th as a freshman to tenth as a sophomore, then reaching the A final as a junior and placing seventh.
Jessica Hirsh of Mount Union (1:02.02) – who was All-OAc in this event in 2015 -- and Alyson Rohrer of Ohio Northern (1:02.05) lead a pack of swimmers all within two seconds of each other, including Mount Union’s Monica Sincel (9th, 1:02.59), Amy Stawser (10th, 1:02.66) and Jenna Kassinger (13th, 1:03.31), Transylvania’s Elizabeth Davis (1:03.07),a nd Ohio Northern’s Kierra Watson (12th, 1:03.28).
Sincel and Davis qualified for the A final in 2015.
 
Men’s 100 Fly Preview
 
Can anyone deny Mitchell Murphy of his drive to win this race? After a fifth place finish in 2014 and a runner-up effort last year, the Ohio Northern senior seems poised to take the crown with his seed time of 51.81 – the fastest in the field.
But there are a number of contenders nipping at his heels … and not too far back.
One of those his Mitchell’s freshman teammate Pete He, who is currently seeded second with only .59 of a second separating the two
An interesting figure to watch in this race is Mount Union veteran Gavin Rundell. Twice, in the longer distance of the fly, he has earned All-OAC accolades. He has also won titles, most notably the 200 Free in 2014. His big race experience could help here.
Other veterans to watch include Ohio Northern’s Sam ONeill and Transylvania’s Sam Mullen. O’Neill is seeded fifth (53.33) and has twice finished in the top four of this event. He was All-OAc (3rd) last year. Mullen has also tasted success in the 100 Fly, making the A final all three years with his best showing fifth place a year ago.
Corey Kehm of John Carroll made the A final last year, placing sixth. He enters the meet seeded eighth (54.51). Another A finalist, seventh place finisher Alex Machovina, is seeded ninth (54.57) this time around.
Besides Ohio Northern’s He, included in the impressive bunch of rookies looking to make an impact are Nickolas Hoffman (4th, 53.23) and Will Turnbull (12th, 54.88) of Mount Union, and John Carroll’s Peter Neal (10th, 54.86).
Although not technically newcomers, sophomores Michael Alderman of Transylvania (6th, 53.68), and Duggan Trenary of Ohio Northern (11th, 54.87) are new faces in this race.
 
Women’s 200 Freestyle Preview
 
Last year, Dana Lautenschleger from Mount Union dominated in two races but finished third in the 200 Back. This year, she is going “all free - all the time”, and it is hard to see anyone stopping this train.
The 200 Free will be a first for Lautenschleger, and she is seeded first in this year’s field by almost three second ahead of Ohio Northern’s Emily Uhrin. Last year, Uhrin was runner-up to John Carroll’s Tori Watson, who has since graduated. In 2014, Uhrin placed fourth as a freshman.
Coming in as the third seed is Rose Aldo (2:00.45), another Purple Raider. She is hoping to make a triumphant return to a race she last swim at the championships in 2013, when she placed sixth. UMU teammates Megan Leibensperger (5th, 2:01.40) and Lauren Lammlein (8th, 2:03.32) hope to join Lautenschleger and Aldo on the podium. Lammlein has never missed an A Final, placing 5th in 2013, 3rd in 2014 and 8th in 2015.
Baldwin Wallace’s Jordyn Miller looks to improve upon a sixth place finish a year ago. She is seeded seventh (2:02.66) entering the tournament in 2016.
John Carroll will send out Amanda Casamatta as its top swimmer. Hoping to follow in Watson’s footsteps, Casamatta is currently ranked fourth, clocking in at 2:01.28. She has won the consolation final in each of her first two seasons.
JCU’s Jane Verdi was 10th last year and is seeded 11th this year (2:04.78).
Freshmen Lauren Chaney of ONU (6th, 2:02.66) and Maci Quisenberry of Trasylvania (2:03.37) are new faces hoping to place in the “A” final. Sophomore Hailee Sauter of Ohio Northern (9th, 2:03.36) is hoping to do the same.
 
Men’s 200 Freestyle Preview
 
The number one seed belongs to John Carroll rookie Tom Pacak, who is also ranked 72nd in the nation, while Ohio Northern veterans Eric Chen (1:45.33) and Logan Pfeifer (1:46.11) are close behind in second and third. Chen took third a year ago to earn All-OAC honors, while Pfeifer has twice swam in the A final in his career.
Gavin Rundell (1:46.25), a senior at Mount Union, looks to step back to his 2014 form when he won this event. He also took second in 2015 and fifth as a freshman.
Wilmington’s David Hawk was the one who topped Rundell last season, and is back to defend his title, seeded ninth (1:49.63). Teammate Brendan Tirado, a first time participant in this event, is seeded fifth (1:48.82).
If Pacak is to have teammates join him on the award stand, it could be either Brian Hulseman, who was sixth a year ago and is currently seeded seventh (1:49.39), or John Scantling, a two time A finalist seeded 11th (1:50.86).
Alex Machovina of Mount Union (6th, 1:49.06), Gabe Rastatter of Ohio Northern (8th, 1:49.51) and Cameron Brewer of Transylvania (10th, 1:49.84) are all first timers in this event who should figure in the scoring mix.
 
Women’s 100 Breaststroke Preview
 
One of the more intriguing events in these championships will take place here, as the top three seeds are all veterans and are all ranked nationally.
John Carroll’s Lindsey Fano tops the list with the number one seed and a ranking of 58 nationally, swimming a time of 1:07.22. Fano is the two-time defending champ of the 100 Breaststroke and looks to finish her final year a champion once again. Junior Morgan Cyrus (1:07.73) of Transylvania is ranked 80th nationally and senior Jess Swanson (1:08.28) of Mount Union is ranked 100th. Cyrus, who placed third as a freshman and second as a sophomore is currently only .51 seconds behind Fano. Swanson has twice placed top five in this event.
Lauren Chaney, who hails from Ohio Northern, is a fresh face to this race that is looking to break up the old gang. She comes into the championships with a seed time of 1:08.93, which is fourth fastest.
Fano’s John Carroll rookie teammates Chloe Ruggiero (1:09.38) and Jessica Morrow (1:09.76) are seeded seventh and ninth respectively and hope to join their senior captain on the awards stand.
Ohio Northern’s Sydney Veon (1:08.93) and Molly Wheeler (1:09.55) were both A finalists in 2015. Veon is seeded fifth and Wheeler eighth. In fact, Wheeler has twice finished eighth in her career in this event.
Mount Union rookies Gina Saxon (6th, 1:09.15) and Mallory Glenn (10th, 1:09.77) have been impressive, but don’t overlook veteran teammate Peyton Kranz. The junior has been knocking on the door of the A final, placing 11th in 2014 and ninth in 2015. She is currently seeded 11th (1:09.98).
A number of veteran swimmers will try to make waves in this race. Jillian Chapman of Ohio Northern was seventh in this event in 2014, while Mary Mazey of Mount Union was seventh last year. Both are seeded outside the top ten. Wilmington’s Rachel Drake was sixth twice (2013 and 2014), but us seeded 20th this year. Mount Union’s Kristin Leitenberger has made three consecutive B finals, with her best showing a 10th place finish in 2013.
 
Men’s 100 Breaststroke Preview
 
The top four seeds all have times under a minute, and the next four all have times within two seconds of a minute. So buckle up for what should be a fun race.
Trevor Keriazes of Ohio Northern ranked 29th in Division III and Tyler Thompson from Baldwin-Wallace is ranked 36th. Keriazes is set to take the crown with a seed time of 57.14, while Thompson will look to steal the crown with his seed time of 57.45. Thompson was the 2015 runner-up.
Veteran swimmer Tyler Moore (59.76) is the two-time defending champion, amd is lurking just off the pace off the top two seeds.
Polar Bear freshman Anthony Ferrell is not far off the pace with the fourth fastest seed time of 59.84.
The quartet seeded five through eight would love to have a say in the matter. John Carroll rookie David Kirtek just missed a sub-minute time. His best effort in 2015-16 was a 1:00.27, and is seeded fifth. Edward Freeman of Transylvania has a similar story, as the sophomore (who placed sixth last year) is seeded sixth with a time of 1:00.30.
Tom Golba of Ohio Northern (7th, 1:00.90) and Egan Paul of John Carroll (8th, 1:01.56) look to battle for the award stand as well.
Lurking outside the top eight are the likes of Transylvania freshman John Eipert (9th, 1:03.06), John carroll freshman Evan McGory (10th, 1:03.50), Manchester freshman Andrew Hinds (11th, 1:03.59), Ohio Northern sophomore Conor Cassara (12th, 1:03.59) and Wilmington sophomore Cody nash (13th, 1:03.61)  -- all of whom have times under the 1:04 mark. Only Nash (11th in 2015) has competed in this event at the OAC’s before
 
 
Women’s 100 Backstroke Preview
 
Will this be the year that Ohio Northern’s Allison Lohnes breaks through. After a fourth place finish in 2013, Lohnes has been runner-up in this race in each of the last two years. Carly Adams of John Carroll is ranked 79th in the country and is seeded second for this year’s championships, and is the most likely threat to Lohnes with a time of 59.36.
Lohnes is 45th in the country and seeded first at 58.04.
Another Blue Streak, Margaret Zagrobelny (59.88) is the only other swimmer in the field with a sub minute time, and she has twice been an A finalist. Her best showing was fifth in 2015.
Mount Union has five of the top ten seeds, led by Sarah Gonda (fourth in a time of 1:00.64). Her teammate Alex Hamit is seeded 6th for this year’s race with a time of 1:01.71. Hamit has three consecutive years of finishing in the top five.
Monica Sincel (1:02.56) looks to finish in the top ten for the third consecutive year for the Purple Raiders, as she is seeded eighth. Newcomer Lauren Otkavec (7th, 1:01.86) and sophomore Ann Zielasko (10th, 1:04.94) round out the main core of Purple Raider swimmers in this event.
Ohio Northern freshman Kierra Watson (1:01.22) is 5th, while teammate Stacie Melody (1:03.73) is 9th. Another Polar Bear, Jillian Chapman (1:05.06) is seeded 11th but has a sixth place finish to her credit in 2015.
Kristen Cornish of Transylvania, Kesley Brebberman of Ohio Northern and Kathryn Spitznogle of Wilmington are all hoping to at the very least keep their streak of reaching B finals alive for a third consecutive year.
 
Men’s 100 Backstroke Preview
 
Tyler Fry of Mount Union is the reigning champion and is seeded first again this year with a time of 52.39. Newcomer Jack Garrow of John Carroll is right behind Fry with a seeded time of 53.33. Veteran Ian Simpson from Ohio Northern rounds out the top three standings, currently in third with a time of 53.96.
David Spraul from Wilmington College is seeded fourth (54.35), but he is looking to break through into the top three for the third consecutive year. That includes winning the 100 backstroke title in 2014.
Sam Mullen from Transylvania is another veteran that has found a home in the A final in his four years 9third in 2013 and 2014, fifth in 2015). This year he is seeded sixth with a time of 55.02, just .08 behind newcomer Will Turnbull of Mount Union (54.94). Rounding out the top 10 are Alex Machovina from Mount Union (7th, 55.90), Sean O’Neil from Ohio Northern (8th, 56.10), Logan Pfeifer of Ohio Northern (9th, 56.14), and Alec Bryson in 10th from John Carroll with a time of 56.51.
Just outside the top ten is Baldwin Wallace freshman Alex Morrow, whose time of 56.63 makes him an A final contender as well.
 
Women’s 1-Meter Diving Preview
 
There are seven divers returning to this year’s 1-meter board competition but only one has placed in the top three in recent history. Maddie Fortune of Baldwin Wallace returns to defend her title this year with stiff competition coming from Sara Fountain of Mount Union who placed fourth last year.
While these two placed well last year, Ashley Creasap of John Carroll and Ally Roskos of Manchester are two rookies who may prove to be divers to watch. Roskos is new to the conference this year but comes in with a score that seeds her first.
John Carroll’s Sam Clark and Julianna Clark along with Ohio Northern’s Maggie Dempster will be jockeying for points in this year’s competiton
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Men’s 3-Meter Diving Preview
 
This year’s Men’s 3-Meter competition appears to come down to Nathan Levengood from Mount Union -- last year’s conference champion -- and Braden Kuhn of Ohio Northern, who placed fifth last year. These are the only two returning competitors. Kevin Henderson of Ohio Northern may throw a wrench in Levengood’s plan to repeat as conference champion as Henderson is seeded second behind Kuhn. Jon Levin is new this year and is a true wild card in this event.