LARAMIE, Wyo. (9/11/24) – University of Wyoming swimming and diving head coach Dave Denniston has been looking forward to this senior class for the leadership and energy that they've been bringing to the women's team ever since they were freshmen.

"I like where our team is right now, there seems to be a little bit of a mindset shift in terms of embracing the positive opportunities that we have here and really making the most out of all those opportunities," Denniston said. "I think that's being led by our leaders and senior group. We've looked forward to this senior class being seniors for a while. They brought a lot of energy as freshmen, they've carried it through and now that energy is contagious all the way down to the freshmen."

Last season the Cowgirls took sixth place at the Mountain West Championships. The program set numerous top-10 times along with an individual champion, a relay champion and four school records.

Poised for another successful season is Wyoming native, Tara Joyce. Joyce earned a Mountain West Championship as a freshman in the 200-yard freestyle with a school record time of 1:46.11. She also swam a leg in the victorious 800-yard freestyle relay, which set a school record time. Joyce took home four All-MW honors.

"The big one we have to talk about is Tara Joyce," Denniston said. "I think she's made it very clear that her goal is to go to NCAAs this year, and she's doing all the things to do that."

One of the seniors that Denniston is looking to play a large role in leading his team is Brynlee Busskohl. She set a new school record at the Mountain West Championship and took third-place in the 200-yard breaststroke, going 2:11.41. Her performance also earned her All-MW honors.

"I think right there next to her is the other Wyoming native, Brynlee Busskohl, who is in her senior year and wants to go to NCAAs," Denniston said. "It was nice for her to break the school record in the 200-meter breaststroke last year but now she's got her eyes set on something much bigger, and they're both putting in the work to do that."

Also returning for the Cowgirls are All-Mountain West honorees Heidi Billings in the 200-yard backstroke and Alicia Gonzalez in the 3-meter event, along with 400 and 800-yard freestyle relay members Kali Franckowiak, Veronika Ozimek and Maisyn Klimczak.

This freshman class is already proving to be in a position to contribute to an already solid team of veterans.

"They're amazing," Denniston said. "We're really excited that they've come in here eager and excited to be part of the team and be seemingly fearless. They're getting right into the mix with practice and really pushing each other. It's fun to see a freshman class come together and really grow and blossom, but also having the leadership that we do on the top end is something that I know our team likes."

Additionally, Denniston knows that an important part of his team's success lies with fan attendance at home meets. 

"They feed off the energy," he said. "When we have people in the stands and they see people and friends that they recognize, it does make them race harder and perform better. Anytime we have a home meet and we can get fans in the stands, I know it's something our team looks forward to and thrives on."

The swim and dive season begins this week. The Cowgirls and Cowboys hold their annual Brown and Gold meet on Friday at 5 p.m. before hosting the Brown, Gold and Old Meet on Saturday at 9 a.m. Both meets will be held at Corbett Pool.