Saturday the men's swimming and diving team showed it might be a while before it vies for Mid-American Conference supremacy after a 162-77 loss at the hands of Eastern Michigan (7-1) in Lewellen Aquatic Center.
The loss drops the Cardinals to 9-3 on the season and 2-1 in the conference, but there were several positives, head coach Bob Thomas said.
"It gave everybody an opportunity to swim other events than they have been competing in all year," Thomas said, "although you do not see it in the score or from an external viewpoint. It is more of an internal situation."
Ball State took two events: Junior Chad Rusk won the 50 freestyle, and senior Zach Smith won the 200 breaststroke. The meet marked the last time Smith would swim in Lewellen pool.
"Zach had a real good swim, especially having his last duel meet," Thomas said. "It was one of his better duel meet times of the year."
Smith holds the school record in the 200 breastroke, and Thomas said he has had an impact on the university's swimming program for the last several years.
"Zach has been our top MAC performer for the past three years," Thomas said. "He has been a finalist in the 100 and 200 breastroke every year. He is definitely going to be missed upon graduation."
The Cardinals finish the regular season with a double duel meet against Ohio and Toledo before the MAC Championships in early March, but Thomas said he does not want to look too far into the future.
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