East Michigan News

In a recent poll conducted by the Mid-American Conference (MAC), Eastern Michigan University's women's swimming and diving team has been predicted to finish sixth in the standings for the 2024-25 season. The poll involved all eight head coaches of the conference, who were not allowed to vote for their own teams.

The University of Akron secured the top position with 49 points and seven out of eight first-place votes. Ohio University followed as the runner-up with 42 points and received the remaining first-place vote. Miami University was ranked third with 37 points.

Eastern Michigan's team is led by Head Coach Derek Perkins, now in his sixth year, alongside Tom Gimm, who is serving his first year as Head Diving Coach. Key athletes include senior diver Rebekah Knapp from Mesa, Arizona, who achieved a second-place finish in last season's MAC Championships in the 3m dive with a score of 301.15.

Returning swimmers Kiersten Russell from Clinton, Michigan, Nina Larosa from Bay Village, Ohio, and Abby Szadorski from Oswego, Illinois are expected to make significant contributions this season. The team also welcomes nine freshmen recruits.

The MAC Women's Swimming & Diving Championship will be hosted by the University at Buffalo from February 28 to March 1 at the Alumni Arena Natatorium & Dorsi Raynolds Pool in Buffalo, New York.

Eastern Michigan will commence its new season on October 18 against Cleveland State University in Cleveland.

For updates on Eastern Swim and Dive activities, fans can follow their social media accounts on Instagram (@emuswimanddive), X (@EMUSwimDive), and Facebook (EMU Swimming and Diving).