Feb. 1, 2014

LAS VEGAS, NEV./COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -

UNLV Duals Results / AFA Diving Invite -Day 2

The University of Wyoming swimming and diving teams closed out the regular season in style on Saturday, as the swimmers competed at UNLV and the divers at the Air Force Diving Invitational. The Cowgirls picked up a pair of wins downing UNLV, 193-103 and Nevada, 193-150. The Cowboys were also impressive earning a 149-149 tie against the Rebels.

"The Cowgirls had a great meet and started out great and never looked back," UW head coach Tom Johnson said. "I don't think I have also been a part of a tie in my coaching career, but the guys swam great against a great team in UNLV."

Reining Mountain West Swimmer of the Week senior Morgan Hartigan and junior Jordan Denny dominated the competition each adding a pair of individual wins and pair of relay titles. Hartigan posted victories in the 50 freestyle with a time of 23.39 and the 100 freestyle at 51.10. Denny opened her day with a win in the 200 freestyle at 1:51.06 and followed that up by earning the 200 backstroke crown at 2:01.42.

The duo was also a part of the 400 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay. The 400 medley relay team of Hartigan, senior Stephanie Young, junior Molly Coonce and Denny won the race with a time of 3:48.02. The 200 freestyle quartet of Hartigan, sophomore Emily Ridout, Denny and junior Melanie McDonough clocked at time of 1:33.94 in their victory.

Coonce also added a pair of individual crowns. She earned victories in the 100 breaststroke at 1:04.98 and 100 butterfly at 55.70. Other winners included junior Karen Hendrick in the 200 butterfly at 2:05.61. She was followed by junior Claudia Carlson at 2:05.62 and senior Leah Roesler with a time of 2:05.64.

"The 200 butterfly was a very interesting race for us and it was funny when the girls came up to me after the race and said you can tell that we have been training together," Johnson said.

Sophomore Nicole Hlavacek earned a win in the 1,000 freestyle at 10:22.01. Freshman Abby Sullivan won the 100 backstroke at 57.28. Senior Mackenzie Norlin rounded out the Cowgirls' winners with a victory in the 200 breaststroke at 2:22.02.

The Cowboys were led by sophomore Ryan Nelson, as he won three events on the afternoon. He opened his day with a win in the 1,000 freestyle at 9:29.01, the fourth best time in the Western Athletic Conference this season. He also added a victory in the 200 butterfly at 1:48.31. Nelson rounded out the dual with a victory in the 500 freestyle at 4:34.60.

"He had just a monster day facing against a conference championship swimmer from UNLV," Johnson said.

Junior Adam Kalms added an event crown in the 200 freestyle clocking in at 1:38.71. Senior Jayce Calhoon won the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:48.89. Senior Ethan Griffel rounded out the Cowboy winners in the 100 butterfly at 50.03.

"Ethan gave us a great chance to win today and it was a great effort by him in the 100 butterfly, a race he has only swam in twice," Johnson said.

The UW divers wrapped up competition at the Air Force Diving Invitational on Saturday. Senior Derek Campbell was Wyoming's top finisher placing fifth in the platform dive at 292.70. His mark in the event was a personal-best and the third-best in school history. He also finished eighth in the 1-meter dive at 311.40. Senior Amanda Fay was the Cowgirls' top finisher finishing ninth in the 3-meter springboard at 279.90.

"We had an outstanding day and our kids responded very well to the pressure," UW diving coach Yahya Radman said.

The Cowgirls and Cowboys will each prepare for their respective conference championships later this month. The MW Championships is set for Feb. 19-22 with the WAC Championships the following weekend. Both championships will take place in San Antonio, Texas.