LARAMIE, Wyo. (11/21/21) – University of Wyoming swimmer Rachel Pietsch has been chasing an elusive mark in the 100-yard butterfly for years. The senior from Cheyenne has set a goal of a sub-1:00 time and come oh-so-close on more than one occasion in her career.

Sunday, Day 2 of the Corbett Invite at Laramie High School, was different. At last, Pietsch accomplished the feat, going 59.45, behind a roar of applause from her teammates.

"That was huge for her. She crushed it," head coach Dave Denniston said. "The whole team was behind that."

And Pietsch wasn't the only Wyomingite who enjoyed a noteworthy day. Kellen Chadderdon from Casper swam three impressive races, highlighted by a first-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke where he went 2:05.57 – more than seven seconds better than his personal-best.

"He put a meet together that put him in the conversation for conference," Denniston said. "He's been a reliable guy who works and pushes his teammates in practice. He crushed it."

The Corbett Invite signified the end of the fall season for Wyoming. It occurred on the heels of the Missouri Invite earlier in the week.

The five straight days of competition gives Denniston and his staff a clearer picture of what their student-athletes can do and what they may excel in come the spring schedule.

"I saw a lot of things out of younger swimmers that I was hoping to see," Denniston said. "I saw third or fourth events they could be competitive in. They showed a lot of strength, character and grit and how they would handle a bigger meet.

"I love where this team is at right now, and I'm looking forward to getting back to it and fine tuning details as we get deeper in the winter."

Wyoming is back in action Jan. 6 when it hosts Denver at Laramie High School.