Sports
Ohio Swimming Senior Profile: Myriah Ariza-Balter
By: Alyssa Lyons
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Senior Myriah Ariza-Balter has built up a long resume during her time at Ohio. Ariza-Balter came to Ohio from Evergreen, Colo. where she was dubbed a Scholastic All-American. While there, she set 18 team records in the 400-yard individual medley, 200-yard backstroke, and 200-yard individual medley. An already impressive record to add to what she would accomplish during her four years in Athens.
As a freshman, Ariza-Balter finished in the top three in eight of her 22 total events throughput the 2013-2014 season. Against Marshall, she placed second, her best, in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:00.16. The freshman managed to drop time against Bowling Green to earn her fastest 100-yard backstroke at 58.57. At the Mid-American Conference Championships, Ariza-Balter competed in the 200-yard backstroke, 200-yard individual medley, and the 400-yard individual medley where she grabbed her fastest time of 4:25.89.
Freshman year garnered Ariza-Balter experience for her second season with the Bobcats. Ariza-Balter swam in a total of 30 events throughout her sophomore season. She had her best finish against the University of Dayton in the 200-yard freestyle where she placed second. Her best time of the season came during the 100-yard backstroke where she swam a 1:00.38. In the H20kie Invitational, Azria-Balter earned her best time in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:04.03. Against Ohio State University, she finished the 200-yard freestyle with her best time of 1:55.78. At the MAC Championships, the sophomore finished in B-Finals in the 400-yard and 200-yard individual medley.
As a junior, she competed in 21 events and was named Academic All-MAC. Her best finish, second place, came against Ohio State in the 200-yard backstroke where she finished with a time of 2:06.69. At Denison, Ariza-Balter finished fifth in the 200-yard freestyle where she swam a 1:58.04. The now-senior placed 20th in the 200-yard individual medley, 18th in the 100-yard backstroke, and 14th in the 200-yard backstroke at the MAC Championships.
Ariza-Balter finishes her season with three other seniors at her side. Her last competition will be at the MAC Championships Feb. 22-24 at Miami.