The Ball State men’s swimming and diving team fell short to Eastern Michigan in the Lewellen Aquatic Center Saturday afternoon. Though the team along with coach Bob Thomas will not hang their heads after the loss.
Eastern Michigan is the top team in the Mid-American Conference along with the defending conference champions.
“They have the ability to come in and thump us," Thomas said. "That’s the reality of it."
After 16 events, the Cardinals finished with 130 points to Eastern Michigan’s 159.
Junior Joe Morris finished first in his events, sweeping the breaststroke.
“He's got the ability to go to the top," Thomas said. "If we can keep him healthy and keep him training hard I think he will do a great job at the end of the season."
Morris has consistently placed as the top finisher for the Cardinals. The most important aspects of preparing for a race are being in the right state of mind and having the appropriate mental attitude, Morris said.
“It all comes down to how you develop your stroke within practice and then how you compete using that technique,” he said.
Morris turned in times of 57:03 in the 100-yard breaststroke and 2:08.27 in the 200-yard breaststroke.
Senior Michael Weber also finished on top for the Cardinals. He placed first in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 52.30 and the 200-yard IM with a time of 1:56.68.
Freshman Cole Smith turned in his first collegiate win taking the lead in the 50-yard free. He touched in at 22.00, defeating his competition by a tenth of a second.
“Hopefully that will get his fires burning to keep going hard,” Thomas said.
Ball State has a tough schedule to finish out the year, including Evansville and the Butler Invitational.
Evansville is the next meet for the Cardinals, taking place on Friday in the Lewellen Aquatic Center at 4 p.m.
