Ohio State came into Ann Arbor with a massive target on its back, and ended Saturday night hoisting the trophy yet again.
The Buckeyes turned the Big Ten women’s swimming and diving championships at Canham Natatorium into another Scarlet and Gray coronation, finishing the event with 1,425 points. Second-place Indiana totaled 1,291.5 points, and Michigan followed in third place with 1,108.
That winning feeling #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/cDdyaUEE6L
— Ohio State Swim/Dive (@OhioStSwimDive) February 19, 2023
— Ohio State Swim/Dive (@OhioStSwimDive) February 19, 2023
The four-day event belonged to Ohio State, with the Buckeyes taking first place in half of the 22 total races. The team of Katherine Zenick, Catherine Russo, Teresa Ivan, and Amy Fulmer brought home the conference title in style, winning the 400 freestyle relay (3:10.12) and setting a school and pool record in the process.
Ohio State wins the 400 freestyle relay and Ohio State wins the 2023 BIG TEN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP! pic.twitter.com/iiG17CUAtv
— Ohio State Swim/Dive (@OhioStSwimDive) February 19, 2023
There was no shortage of fantastic performances from Ohio State, including that of Felicia Pasadyn, a graduate transfer from Harvard. Pasadyn won the 400 IM (4:03.62) for the Buckeyes on Friday evening before shattering school records in both the 200 backstroke (1:52.29) and the 200 butterfly (1:54.33) on Saturday night.
Felicia Pasadyn wins the 400 individual medley; Ohio State's second win of the evening and sixth of these championships. pic.twitter.com/mO8O0vgVcX
— Ohio State Swim/Dive (@OhioStSwimDive) February 17, 2023
Really love this photo - The moment Ohio States Felicia Pasadyn looks up and realizes she just won the 400 IM Finals during the Big Ten Swimming Championships as other swimmers splash in to finish around her pic.twitter.com/PvwY8xtY8j
— sarah smith (@smith25_sarah) February 18, 2023
Another Ohio State standout was sophomore Nyah Funderburke, who won the 100 backstroke (51.52) gold medal and took part in three winning relay teams. Funderburke's father Lawrence, a Buckeye basketball great, was in attendance to watch the show.
Sophomore Nyah Funderburke secures the 8th win of these championships for the Buckeyes: the 100 backstroke in a time of 51.52. pic.twitter.com/P9iAGTyzXo
— Ohio State Swim/Dive (@OhioStSwimDive) February 17, 2023
Nyah Funderburke, Lawrences daughter, just won the 100 meter backstroke at the Big Tens, bettering Olympian Phoebe Bacon. Dad is beaming. @OhioStSwimDive pic.twitter.com/zryokY2srJ
— Clay Hall (@claywsyx6) February 18, 2023
Nyah Funderburke is interviewed on the Big Ten Network following her first individual Big Ten Conference championship. pic.twitter.com/tmrOzRmQrI
— Ohio State Swim/Dive (@OhioStSwimDive) February 18, 2023
Perhaps the most impressive race of the event for Ohio State was the 200 freestyle relay; Zenick, Funderburke, Ivan, and Fulmer swam a blazing 1:26.70 to set a new school, pool, and meet record.
Ohio State sets an Ohio State, Canham Natatorium and Big Ten championship record with its win in the 200 free relay in 1:26.70. pic.twitter.com/TjFnnd3ekO
— Ohio State Swim/Dive (@OhioStSwimDive) February 18, 2023
That record-record-record-setting 200 free relay team from Ohio State featured Katherine Zenick, Nyah Funderburke, Teresa Ivan and Amy Fulmer. Congratulations, Buckeyes! pic.twitter.com/3i1Q5SLRaR
— Ohio State Swim/Dive (@OhioStSwimDive) February 18, 2023
With their dominant performance, the Buckeyes' dynastic run in the conference continues. The 2023 Big Ten title is the ninth in program history, and Bill Dorenkott's squad will look to make it five straight in 2024.
