San Diego, Calif. (Jan. 3, 2019) – Both swimming teams started off the new year with a split against its competition at a  quad meet at the University of California-San Diego. The Cowboys (3-2 overall) earned a 148-113 win over Incarnate Word while dropping a 157.5-130.5 contest against the Tritons. The Cowgirls (7-2 overall) scored 199 points compared to 55 by Incarnate Word, but fell in a close one, 150-143, against UCSD. The meet consisted of host school University of California –San Diego, Incarnate Word, San Jose State and Wyoming. The times between UW and the Spartans weren't scored against each other.

"The meet went well today. We had great times and performances by all the swimmers, but fell a little short with not having our divers here today," head swimming and diving coach Dave Denniston said. "It just shows how valuable they are against UCSD. Overall, the team did a great job and we are enjoying the sunshine. Breakout swims in the meet with Catriona Clarke in the 400 IM and 200 breaststroke along with Miller (Browne) in the 500 free and 200 back. Also, several good races with familiar names in Lainee (Jones), Samantha (Burke), Hannah (Mclean-Leonard) and on the men's side Seth (Borgert). The energy has been really positive doing training outside during the day and team activities at night. Looking forward to swimming against Cal Baptist and Grand Canyon on Saturday."

On the women's side, the day got off to a good start winning the first four events of the meet and eight total. The team of senior Samantha Burke, freshman Phoebe Browne, sophomore Hannah Mclean-Leonard and senior Isobel Ryan on the first event of the meet finishing first in the 400 medley relay with a time of 3:51.51. Junior Daniela Luna Rocha placed first in the 1650 freestyle with a NCAA B qualifying time of 17:16.83 followed by freshman Erin Eccleston in second with a time of 17:38.21. In the 200 yard freestyle, fellow freshman Lainee Jones would touch the wall first with a time of 1:52.51 with another B qualifying time. Burke and senior Connor Tarver would then keep it rolling for the Cowgirls as they would finish first and second in the 200 backstroke with final times of 56.88 and 58.55 respectively.

The next Cowgirl to earn a victory one the afternoon would be Mclean-Leonard who would win the 200 butterfly clocking a time of 2:06.56. After helping to take first in the 400 medley relay, Ryan would be back in action and back in the first place spot. She would finish first in the 50 free with a time of 23.94 marking a NCAA B cut qualifying time. Senior Marcela Gramcko touched the wall first in the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:05.79. McLean-Leonard earned her third event victory on the day as she recorded a time of 55.47 in the 100 butterfly, recording first place finishes in both the butterfly events.

The Cowboys would also find success in multiple events during the meet. Sophomore Seth Borgert got things going for the with a first place finish in the 1650 freestyle with a recorded a time of 16:17.61. Junior Tyler Klatt would be the next Cowboy to touch first, claiming a victory in the 100 backstroke with a time of 51.30. In the 200 yard breaststroke, senior Liam Holt marked a time of 2:03.43 to claim first place. Freshman Miller Browne followed with a first place spot in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:42.00. Teammates junior Jacob Harlan was second with a time of 4:42.99 and freshman Ryan Netzel in third with a 4:43.13 time. The Cowboys would cap off the day with a second place finish in the 200 freestyle relay recording at time of 1:24.55.

Both the Cowgirls and Cowboys will be back in action on Saturday as they participate in another tri-meet facing California Baptist and Grand Canyon University. For the Cowboys, it will be a chance to take on two conference opponents. The meet is set to start at 2 p.m. MT.