By Tim Glon

Junior Jennifer Hartsel swept the breaststroke events to lead the Ohio Northern women's swimming and diving team in a season-opening 141-139 loss at John Carroll Saturday afternoon at the Don Shula Sports Center.

The Polar Bears fall to 0-1 overall and 0-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conferencem while the Blue Streaks improve to 1-0, 1-0.

Ohio Northern won nine of the 16 events, but John Carroll used its advantage in depth to post the victory as ONU was swimming without six of its regulars, who missed the meet for various reasons.

"The ladies really stepped up to pull the score within two in the loss," ONU head coach Peggy Ewald said. "We had six of our women out due to various reasons. JCU had 22 competing, we only had 16. That's a big difference. This loss really doesn't reflect the magnitude of how well we swam. I'm very impressed with the results and feel confident once we get the full squad back they're going to keep challenging to push forward."

Hartsel won the 100 breast in 1:12.95 and won the 200 breast in 2:39.72.

Senior Amy Elmer also won two individual events, sweeping the 1- and 3-meter diving events unopposed with scores of 222.55 and 175.60, respectively.

Senior Mackenzie Hoffman won the 500 free in 5:32.59, junior Jamie Garbash won the 100 fly in 1:03.46 and freshman Lindsey Inkrott won the 200 back in 2:13.90.

ONU also swept the two relays, winning the 200 medley relay in 1:54.15 and the 200 free relay in 1:44.29.

The Polar Bears will return to action Friday night at 6 pm with the home opener against Wilmington at the ONU Sports Center.