LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Jan. 26, 2024) – The Wyoming swimming and diving team wrapped the first day of a tri-meet with host school UNLV and UC Santa Barbara on Friday evening in Las Vegas. The Cowgirls lead UC Santa Barbara and trail UNLV heading into the final day. The cowboys will look to make up ground on both teams tomorrow afternoon.
"We are swimming fast, but getting out touched," UW head coach
Dave Denniston said. "We have lots of energy and season-best times coming off a long day of travel. As always, I'm sure we will be faster tomorrow and close the gap on the team scores."
The Cowgirls started the evening in the 400-yard medley relay with
Emily Giles,
Carly Palmer,
Tessa Bendokas, and
Tara Joyce clinching first with the time of 3:39.06, the fastest this year for the Cowgirls. In addition, the Cowgirls relay team of
Rachael Horne,
Kali Franckowiak,
Lauren Swartz, and Joyce took second in the 200-yard freestyle relay, finishing with a time of 1:31.99 later in the evening.
In the women's individual races, Palmer touched first in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:01.03, beating the second-place finisher by nearly a whole second. Palmer also finished second in the 200-yard IM with a time of 2:03.30.
Maisyn Klimczak finished second in the 1650-yard freestyle with a time of 16:40.55. Joyce also touched second in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 49.40 finishing a busy day from the freshman.
The Cowboys started their day with
Quinn Cynor finishing third in the 100-yard backstroke, and
Charlie Clark finishing third in the 1650-yard freestyle. The first individual victory came in the 200-yard fly with
Gavin Smith topping the field with the time of 1:47.85, finishing this race with his fastest time of the year.
Luke Walker wrapped up the individuals for the Pokes finishing third in the 200-yard IM.
In relay action,
Jakob Borrman, Smith,
Reilly Gilbert, and
Quinn Teller took third in the 200-yard freestyle relay.
The night finished with the diving competition.
Alicia Gonzalez earned the win in the 3-Meter event with a score of 272.10. Clare Knapton finished fourth with a score of 255.08. The duo also finished fourth in fifth respectively in the 1-Meter event. On the men's side,
Bruno Grau Espinosa finished fourth in the 1-Meter event and fifth in the 3-meter.
Swimmers take to the Jim Reitz Pool again tomorrow morning beginning at 11:00 am to conclude the tri-meet.
