Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wednesday, March 2
Jones Natatorium
11 a.m./7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
MAC Championships
Photo by: Mid-American Conference
Eagles Win 800 Free Relay, Stand in First After Day One
3/2/2016 7:12:00 PM | M. Swim & Dive
The Eagles turned in two top-three finishes on day one of the MAC Championships
Day One Results
Session II Heat Sheets
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University men's swimming and diving team began its quest for it's 33rd Mid-American Conference title, March 2, inside Jones Natatorium. EMU claimed the MAC title in the 800 Freestyle Relay behind a record-breaking performance to take a two-point edge in the team standings.
The Eagles opened the meet with a third-place finish in the 200 Medley Relay. Junior Cole Bateman (Hutchinson, Minn.-Hutchinson) teammed up with junior Kyle Aerne (Lake Villa, Ill.-Lakes), senior Erik Gissen (Karlstad, Sweden-Alvkullegymnasiet), and junior Erik Brinkhoff (Bethel Park, Pa.-Bethel Park). With EMU clinging to a narrow lead after the opening leg, Buffalo overtook first midway through the race. UB never relinquished the edge, taking first in the event while the Green and White claimed third behind Missouri State with a season-best time of 1:28.52.
After a strong start to the 800 Freestyle Relay by senior Andrew Henry (Garner, N.C.-West Johnston), the Green and White held a one-second edge leading into the second leg. Eastern distanced itself slightly behind a strong performance by freshman Jean Francois Murphy (Montreal, Quebec-Sainte Anne). Despite Murphy's efforts, the Eagles were neck and neck with Missouri State at the halfway point. Sophomore Logan Burton (Chesapeake, Va.-Hickory) took over with the Green and White trailing by eight thenths of a second before freshman Jake Tyson (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Northgate) anchored the squad. Eastern trailed Missouri State by eight hundreths of a second heading into the final 50 meters at which point Tyson turned on the jets, eventually overtaking the lead and giving the Green and White the MAC title. Clocking in with a scorching time of 6:25.55, the Eagles set school, pool, meet, and MAC records in the event and propelled EMU into first place through the first day of action. The win marked the first time Eastern has won the event since 2009.
Eastern sits atop the standings through two events with a total of 72 points, two points ahead of the University at Buffalo while Missouri State University rounds out the top-three.
The Eagles continue competition at the MAC Championships tomorrow, March 3. The morning session begins at 11 a.m. with preliminary races for the 500 Freestyle, 200 Individual Medley, and 50 Freestyle. The 1-meter dive prelims will take place following the trio of early heats. The championship heats and consolation finals make up session three, with the action set to start at 7 p.m.
Team Scores (through two events)
1. Eastern Michigan, 72
2. Buffalo, 70
3. Missouri State, 68
4. Southern Illinois, 62
5. Miami, 56
6. Ball State, 52
7. Evansville, 48
Session II Heat Sheets
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University men's swimming and diving team began its quest for it's 33rd Mid-American Conference title, March 2, inside Jones Natatorium. EMU claimed the MAC title in the 800 Freestyle Relay behind a record-breaking performance to take a two-point edge in the team standings.
The Eagles opened the meet with a third-place finish in the 200 Medley Relay. Junior Cole Bateman (Hutchinson, Minn.-Hutchinson) teammed up with junior Kyle Aerne (Lake Villa, Ill.-Lakes), senior Erik Gissen (Karlstad, Sweden-Alvkullegymnasiet), and junior Erik Brinkhoff (Bethel Park, Pa.-Bethel Park). With EMU clinging to a narrow lead after the opening leg, Buffalo overtook first midway through the race. UB never relinquished the edge, taking first in the event while the Green and White claimed third behind Missouri State with a season-best time of 1:28.52.
After a strong start to the 800 Freestyle Relay by senior Andrew Henry (Garner, N.C.-West Johnston), the Green and White held a one-second edge leading into the second leg. Eastern distanced itself slightly behind a strong performance by freshman Jean Francois Murphy (Montreal, Quebec-Sainte Anne). Despite Murphy's efforts, the Eagles were neck and neck with Missouri State at the halfway point. Sophomore Logan Burton (Chesapeake, Va.-Hickory) took over with the Green and White trailing by eight thenths of a second before freshman Jake Tyson (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Northgate) anchored the squad. Eastern trailed Missouri State by eight hundreths of a second heading into the final 50 meters at which point Tyson turned on the jets, eventually overtaking the lead and giving the Green and White the MAC title. Clocking in with a scorching time of 6:25.55, the Eagles set school, pool, meet, and MAC records in the event and propelled EMU into first place through the first day of action. The win marked the first time Eastern has won the event since 2009.
Eastern sits atop the standings through two events with a total of 72 points, two points ahead of the University at Buffalo while Missouri State University rounds out the top-three.
The Eagles continue competition at the MAC Championships tomorrow, March 3. The morning session begins at 11 a.m. with preliminary races for the 500 Freestyle, 200 Individual Medley, and 50 Freestyle. The 1-meter dive prelims will take place following the trio of early heats. The championship heats and consolation finals make up session three, with the action set to start at 7 p.m.
Team Scores (through two events)
1. Eastern Michigan, 72
2. Buffalo, 70
3. Missouri State, 68
4. Southern Illinois, 62
5. Miami, 56
6. Ball State, 52
7. Evansville, 48
Players Mentioned
Breast/IM
/ M. Swim & Dive
Back/Free
/ M. Swim & Dive
Free
/ M. Swim & Dive
Back/Free
/ M. Swim & Dive
Back/Fly/Free
/ M. Swim & Dive
Free/IM
/ M. Swim & Dive
Fly
/ M. Swim & DiveEastern Michigan Head Coach Peter Linn
Monday, June 04
Day 3 Recap: 2016 Men's Swimming & Diving Championships
Saturday, March 12
2016 Men's Swimming & Diving Champions: Eastern Michigan
Saturday, March 12
Day 1 Recap: 2016 Men's Swimming & Diving Championships
Saturday, March 12