LARAMIE, Wyo. (11/4/21) – The University of Wyoming's women's swimming & diving team showcased its depth Thursday in a dual meet against Northern Colorado. The Cowgirls littered the top four in numerous races, however, it wasn't enough, as they dropped a 151-148 decision to the Bears at Laramie High School.

"I think the depth really performed well, and I'm proud of what we did," head coach Dave Denniston said. "I'm not disappointed with the swims. I'm kind of disappointed with the racing in that we could have had a little more girt on the end to get our hands on the wall."

The depth alluded to came in the form of top-four finishes. Wyoming logged five races in which it had three of the top-four placers.

That depth also shined through with regard to winning races. The Cowgirls claimed six individual victories.

Fifth-year senior Katelyn Blattner and junior Melissa Mirafuentes each boasted a pair of wins. Blattner won the 200-yard freestyle and the 200-yard backstroke with times of 1:53.08 and 2:04.41, respectively. Mirafuentes won the 1-meter competition, compiling 284.25 points, and took the title in the 3-meter event with 276.00 points.

"Katelyn Blattner and Melissa Mirafuentes are just hammers that we count on," Denniston said.

Junior Emily Giles and sophomore Carly Palmer laid claim to the other two victories. Giles took the crown in the 200-yard individual medley, registering a time of 2:10.85, while Palmer touched first in the 100-yard breaststroke after recording a time of 1:04.69.  

Giles victory in the 200-yard IM vaulted the Cowgirls ahead on the scoreboard with only one race remaining. Wyoming needed a win in the 200-yard freestyle relay in order to hold on.

Even though the Cowgirls weren't able to win the meet's final race both relay teams – that finished second and third, respectively – had season-best times. The combination of senior Sani Carsrud, Blattner, Palmer and senior Lainee Jones went 1:35.57, and the team of freshman Lauren Swartz, freshman Samantha Diaz, sophomore Kali Franckowiak and sophomore Madeline Bane went 1:35.82.

"They showed a lot of heart at the end," Denniston said. "Emily Giles in that 200 IM kept us in it, and I thought both of our relays gave (Northern Colorado's) A relay a run for their money."

Freshman Kayla Cunningham and sophomore Isabel Rich each owned a pair of individual second-place finishes, while freshman Gabriella Hagler and sophomore Sage Morton both had one second-place finish apiece.

Wyoming has a quick turnaround. The Cowgirls host rival Colorado State and Colorado Mesa on Friday at Laramie High School with the diving portion of the meet beginning at 1 p.m.