John Carroll Wins 16th OAC Swimming & Diving Title In 19 Years
JCU – OAC Swimmer of the Year, Coaching Staff of the Year

The John Carroll Blue Streaks peaked at the right time, knocking off defending champion Ohio Northern to claim their 16th title in 19 years at the 2008 Ohio Athletic Conference Swimming & Diving Championships on Saturday, Feb. 16, at Ocasek Natatorium in Akron, Ohio.

John Carroll scored 266 points to edge Ohio Northern, which scored 257 points. Mount Union finished a distant third with 151 points, followed by Baldwin-Wallace (100) and Wilmington (91).

It was sweet redemption for John Carroll, which finished third last season -- marking the first time JCU did not finish first or second since joining the league in 1990. The Blue Streaks had also suffered a 144-96 loss in a dual meet to Ohio Northern back in November during the 2007-08 regular season.

For their efforts, the Blue Streaks reaped two major awards from the conference meet. Heather Gilmour was named OAC Swimmer of the Year, and the staff of head coach Matt Lenhart, diving coach Lewis Fellinger, graduate assistant coach Wendy Peel and assistant coach Matt Dorsch were named Women's Coaching Staff of the Year.

Gilmour, who won her second career Swimmer of the Year Award (and her first since 2006), completed another undefeated championship event in individual events. She won the 100 Free Saturday night, edging Katherine Moore of Ohio Northern. Gilmour swam a time of 54.02 to beat Moore, who touched in 54.82. JCU teammate Andrea Kovacs picked up big points with a time of 55.41 to finish third and earn All-OAC accolades.
In her career, Gilmour has won nine individual titles in nine finals. She has placed first in the 50 Free (once), 100 Free (once), 200 Free (three times), 500 free (two times) and 1650 Free (two times).

Gilmour had plenty of support as JCU was able to fend off Ohio Northern with some key performances. In the 1650 Free, JCU got a win from Heidi Benson and a fifth place finish from senior Kaitlin Griffin. Benson won with a time of 17:41.19, which was 43 seconds better than the next finisher and surpassed the NCAA "B" cut of 17:47.99.

Griffin, who was the seventh seeded swimmer in this event, swam a time of 19:07.26 to edge the sixth place finisher by less than two seconds.

In the 200 Fly, Ryan Reynolds of Baldwin-Wallace won the race with a time of 2:19.36, while John Carroll's Kim Kern was a solid second in 2:24.46.

Kate Slovonic delivered third place points and earned All-OAC status by scoring a 338.00 in the one-meter diving final.

The Blue Streaks held a five-point lead following diving, and needed to finish at least in second place in the 400 Free relay to lock up the championship. The quartet of Kovacs, Liana Sved, Benson and Gilmour left nothing to chance. With a great anchor leg of 53.68, Gilmour secured first place for John Carroll as the team posted a winning mark of 3:42.95.