AUSTIN, Texas/Grand Junction, Colo. -

Texas Invite - Day 1   | Colo. Mesa Invite - Day 1  

The University of Wyoming swimming teams opened action at the Texas Invite and Colorado Mesa Invite on Thursday . Junior Molly Coonce recorded a school record in the 100 butterfly at the Texas Invite to lead UW on the opening day of competition.

"I think we are swimming very well and better than we did at this time last season," UW head coach Tom Johnson said. "The competition at in Texas is very good and it is a great measuring stick for our kids."

Coonce recorded a school record and an NCAA "B" Cut qualifying time in the 100 butterfly finishing 10th at 53.33. Junior Emily Ridout also recorded an NCAA "B" Cut time with a mark of 22.83 in the 50 freestyle, finishing 10th. Senior Claudia Carlson made her return to her home state of Texas finishing 10th in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:02.56.

In the men's event, junior George Eglesfield placed 19th in the 100 butterfly with an NCAA "B" Cut mark of 48.19. Six of the best butterfly swimmers in the country were featured in the event. Senior Adam Kalms finished 19th in the 50 freestyle with a time of 20.35. His mark is the third fastest in school history.

In the 200 freestyle relay the Cowboys finished seventh at 1.20.72 with the Cowgirls also placing seventh of 1:33.06.

"We were a lot better in tonight's session and we will get better as the weekend goes on," Johnson said.

At the Colorado Mesa Invite, The Cowgirls made an impact in the first individual race. In the 500 freestyle freshman Kara Guenther won the event with a time of 5:02.72. She was followed by a trio of Cowgirls, as sophomore Casey Duckworth placed second followed by junior Lauren McClure and senior Aliyah Mikulski.

In the men's events senior Jordan Turner won the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:15.30. He was followed by sophomore Dylan Sether in second and sophomore Patrick Jones in third.

The Cowgirls added another win in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:34.91 with the team of sophomore Mary Uselmann, freshman Rachel McKivigan, freshman Taylor Segrave and junior Sarae Dydo. The Cowboys won the 400 medley relay with the team of junior Austin Layman, senior Michael McCormick, freshman Jacob Porter and freshman Sam Loescher clocking in at 3:22.24.

Wyoming leads the team leaderboard after the first day in Grand Junction. The Cowgirls have 299 points with the Cowboys recording 207.

"I thought we had some kids step up and have some great swims," UW assistant coach Kirk Ermels said. "Overall it went well and is a great way for our kids to compete."

Action will continue tomorrow morning at both the Texas Invite and Colorado Mesa Invite.