LAS VEGAS, Nev. (12/18/24) – The University of Wyoming swim team finished up the UNLV Finis Invite Wednesday night to cap off 2024.
 
The Cowgirls finished the UNLV Invite in third with 639 points, whereas the Cowboys ended in sixth with 409 points.
 
Head coach Dave Denniston was pleased with how his team handled the pressure of a multi-day meet just after finals week.
 
"Going into this meet I wasn't sure how we would perform coming off finals week, but our team excelled in handling the stress and pressures of a three-day competition," Denniston said. "We had several best times and got faster as the meet went on, with the final night being a highlight for our team."
 
The Pokes competed in the 1650-yard freestyle, 100-yard IM, 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard butterfly and 400-yard freestyle relay.
 
Macey Hansen finished second in the 1650-yard freestyle, going a time of 16:39.62. In the same event, Jakub Rynkiewicz finished fourth, logging a time of 15:41.58.
 
Rachael Horne turned in a second-place performance in the 100-yard IM with a time of 56.92. Kellen Chadderdon took fifth in the same event with a time of 50.24.
 
In the 200-yard backstroke, Kayla Cunningham came in fourth logging a time of 1:59.23.
 
Tara Joyce finished second in the 100-yard freestyle, swimming a 49.72.
 
Brynlee Busskohl took second in the 200-yard breaststroke, having swam a 2:13.34. Also in the 200-yard breaststroke, Andrew Ravegum came in fourth with a time of 1:58.88.
 
Ellie Fritscher had a fifth-place performance in the 200-yard butterfly, going a time of 2:03.17. Adam Pannell went 1:46.45 in the same event, which was good enough to take fourth.
 
The Cowgirls, comprised of Horne, Lauren Swartz, Kali Franckowiak and Joyce, came in third in the 400-yard freestyle relay with a time of 3:20.41. The Cowboys took fifth with a collective time of 2:59.39, swam by Quinn Teller, Caleb Ozenne, Gray Sisco and Luke O'Connor.
 
Denniston said, "Ultimately this was a great practice run for the conference championship and all of our swimmers showed true grit and resilience!"
 
The Pokes will be back in action after the new year, hosting Denver on January 11 for senior day at Laramie High School, beginning at 11 a.m.