Alabama
Ohio State
Alabama Swimming and Diving Falls in Road Opener at Ohio State
9/27/2018 7:58:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
The Buckeyes slipped past the Alabama men 156-144 while the Crimson Tide women fell 181-119
Alabama swimming and diving won 13 individual races and two relays in its first road meet of the 2018-19 season in a dual meet against Big 10 rival Ohio State at McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion Thursday.
The Crimson Tide men lost a tight, down to the wire battle against the Buckeyes, 156-144, while the UA women fell 181-119.
"You're never happy with a loss, but both the men and the women showed more balance and depth in events that we have struggled with in the past and the bodes well for the future," UA head coach Dennis Pursley said. "We fought hard, swam tough and battled it out in the close races. It was a big ask. We did double workouts yesterday and then got on the bus at 6 in the morning today and traveled all day, arriving with just enough time to check into the hotel and then get to the pool. They had a bit of a challenge there, but we talked about that how they were going to respond and react, and I was real pleased with way they handled it."
Alabama's men won both relays and eight of 12 individual races against the Buckeyes.
"Our men won 10 events this year to four last year against Ohio State in some tough circumstances," Pursley said.
Junior Daniel Kober won both the 500 and 1,000 freestyles while fellow junior Zane Waddell won the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly. Seniors Robert Howard (200 freestyle) and Laurent Bams (100 breaststroke) along with freshmen Spencer Walker (200 backstroke) and Nicholas Perera (200 individual medley) also picked up individual wins.
"Daniel and Zane were the ones in the men's meet to win multiple individual races," Pursley said. "In the distance events, we've got a strong group of freshmen and they're challenging each other in practice and Daniel's leadership has been important there."
Waddell, Bams, sophomore Tyler Sesvold and Howard combined to win the 400 medley relay to get the day started while Waddell, senior Christian Arseneau, Bams and Howard won the 400 freestyle relay to close the meet.
The Alabama women were led by freshman Rhyan White, who won three individual races on the day - the 100 and 200 backstrokes and the 100 butterfly. Fellow rookie Kensey McMahon won the 1,000 freestyle while senior Justine Macfarlane took first in the 200 breaststroke.
"Rhyan was a bright spot today as the only triple winner in the meet and she's just getting started as a freshman," Pursley said. "Kensey McMahon gutted out a tough win in the 1,000 that went stroke for stroke and in the end she got her hand on the wall first - that was a good way to get the women started."
For its next meet, Alabama returns home for its Southeastern Conference opener, facing off against Texas A&M on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. in the Alabama Aquatic Center.
For all the latest information on the Alabama swimming and diving teams, follow AlabamaSwimDive on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can be found @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
