Men's Swimming Weekly Release

Bulls Complete Most Successful MAC Championships

A fourth-place finish and a record point total since joining the league are just two of the proud accomplishments the University at Buffalo can take with them as the Bulls completed the 2007 Mid-American Conference Men's Swimming and Diving Championship at Alumni Arena Natatorium on Saturday night. The Bulls compiled 378 points to eclipse the 269 point total that they scored in the 2005 championships and finished fourth for the first time in the MAC meet since joining the conference in 1998. Eastern Michigan won its 26th league title by scoring 1,008.5 points to easily outdistance the rest of the field. Miami finished in second at 801.5, followed by Ohio (584.5), UB and Ball State (349.5).

McDowell, Ruske Earn All-MAC Honors

Zach Ruske

Two Bulls earned second-team All-MAC recognitions Saturday night. Freshman Michael McDowell (Rush, NY/Rush-Henrietta) placed second on the three-meter diving board with a total of 312.80 points, gaining a nod to the all-league team. McDowell set the UB and Alumni Arena Natatorium records with his total score of 338.80 for six dives in Friday’s preliminary round. McDowell now holds UB records in the one- and three-meter events.

Sophomore Zach Ruske (Superior, CO/Monarch) also earned a spot on the second-team All-MAC squad. Ruske scored a fourth-place finish in the 200-yard backstroke in 1:51.59 after posting a lifetime-best time of 1:51.45 in Saturday's preliminary heats. In the 200-yard individual medley, Ruske scored a fourth-place finish in 1:53.87 after reaching the championship round by posting a lifetime-best swim of 1:53.82 in the preliminaries. He also posted a seventh-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke in 52.18 after setting another lifetime best in the heats in 51.96.

Records Set Throughout the Weekend

Michael McDowell

Over the three-day meet, there were several records set along the way. Eight Alumni Arena Natatorium records were broken, highlighted by Michael McDowell’s three-meter mark of 338.80 for six dives. Eastern Michigan swimmers set four marks, including two relays and both individual medley marks by Dan Wohl, selected as the MAC’s Senior Swimmer of the Year. Miami’s Paul Ricard, named the league’s Swimmer of the Year for the second straight year, broke the UB pool records in the 500- and 1650-yard freestyles. Wohl and Ricard also set MAC records and league championship marks.

Bulls Post 24 Lifetime Bests

Mark Ayers

The Bulls posted a grand total of 24 lifetime bests in the three-day meet. Freshman Mark Ayers (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville North) compiled five of his own in sprint and distance freestyle events. Freshman Scott Woster (North Pole, AK/North Pole) scored four marks, including a pair in the 200-yard butterfly. Zach Ruske and freshman Jordan Matthews (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) had three each. Matthews posted two in his 100-yard breaststroke races, culminating with his 59.18 clocking in the championship final. UB swimmers had established 50 lifetime-bests heading into the MAC Tournament. For the season, the Bulls posted 74 lifetime-best times.