LARAMIE, Wyo. (10/27/22) – The University of Wyoming swimming & diving team is back at home this week. The Cowboys and Cowgirls host Air Force on Saturday at 1 p.m. inside Laramie High School.

Wyoming's men's team circled this date before the season started. The squad knew this meet against the rival Falcons would serve as a measuring stick of where they're at and if their goals of contending for a Western Athletic Conference championship are legitimate.

"(Air Force) always comes in and performs at a high level, and we tend to raise ourselves to that level," head coach Dave Denniston said. "But in years past, we've fallen a little short. That's where the benchmark comes in. This is the gauge of whether or not this season can be what we think it can be and a successful one or if we still have some more work to do in getting ready for the second half."

As Denniston alluded to, the Cowboys haven't fared well against Air Force in recent memory. In fact, they haven't defeated their rivals from the Academy since the 2019-20 season.

That equates to the majority of the roster having never beaten the Falcons. And that has the Cowboys hungry for some payback. 

"This is one that all the guys are excited for," Denniston said. "It's a big rivalry on the men's side, for sure. Based on what we saw at (Colorado) Mesa, we are on track to have a very good season and a very good meet, but you don't know until you know. That's what this meet will be about."

Wyoming's men's team defeated Colorado Mesa on the road last weekend in its first dual meet of the season. The women's team also claimed a victory in Grand Junction, Colorado.

The early stages of the Cowgirls' season have been highlighted by the youthfulness. Many of the freshmen and sophomores have seized important roles, won races and conducted themselves like veterans.

Sprinkle in solid production and leadership from the upperclassmen and the women have enjoyed tremendous balance during the first part of the season.

"The neat thing about our newcomers and younger athletes is they have an incredible amount of performance maturity," Denniston said. "They know what they need to do, and we don't have to coach them through the ABCs of a race. When it comes down to performing, that's what our upperclassmen have helped the younger people on the team do."

The meet Saturday begins at 11:15 a.m. with men's 1-meter and women's 3-meter diving. Swimming starts at 1 p.m., and will be the standard 16-event format.

Following the meet with Air Force, the Cowgirls remain busy, travelling to Colorado State next weekend for a dual meet.