This Week in WAC Swimming and Diving - Nov. 18
This Week in WAC Swimming and Diving - Nov. 18
WOMEN'S ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: NOV. 10-16
Idaho's Katie Hale has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Women's Swimmer of the Week for Nov. 10-16.
Hale, a junior from Park City, Utah, dominated in the pool this weekend as she came away with three individual wins while also leading the Vandals to three relay victories. Hale took home first in the 100-yard backstroke (56.50 seconds) and earned a pair of individual wins in the 50 free (23.30) and 100 free (51.43). Hale impressed in the 400 medley relay as she came from behind to collect the win, reaching the wall at 3:52.23. The junior also led her team to victory in the 200 medley relay (1:45.89) and 200 free relay (1:35.98).
OTHER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK NOMINEES
Other women's swimmer nominees: Seattle U's Danika Himes earned first-place finishes in the 200 individual medley (2:08.29), 100 breast (1:04.74) and 200 breast (2:21.87).
IDAHO
The Vandals kicked off the season with a 196-119 win over fellow WAC member Seattle U. Idaho started the weekend strong, winning four of the five events on the first day, highlighted by a more than five second victory in the 400-yard freestyle relay as the team of Rylie Jones, Kaling Phung, Natalie Crocker and Katie Hale reached the wall at 3:29.34. Idaho continued its strong start, winning six of the eight events during the second day. Ani Husaby and Holly Keir joined Hale and Jones to win the 200 medley relay (1:45.89). Haylee Buyers squeaked out a win in the 400 individual medley (4:36.17), out-touching the Redhawk swimmer by three one-hundreths of a second. The Vandals closed out the weekend with three wins in four events on Sunday to lock up the team win. Husaby edged out her teammate Buyers to win in the 200 butterfly, touching at 2:09.30. Alexa Teneyck added an individual win as she earned the top spot in the 500 free (5:08.86).
SEATTLE U
Seattle U swim traveled to Moscow, Idaho to take on Idaho over the weekend. Danika Himes collected the lone win for the Redhawks in the first session as she finished ahead of the pack in the 200 IM (2:08.29). The second day kicked off with a second-place finish in the 200 medley relay as the team of Allison Plamondon, Himes, Bryn Lasher and Emilia Culberson finished in 1:47.91. Himes and Alexa Hoeper each earned an individual win on day two. Himes touched first in the 100 breast (1:04.74) while Hoeper won the 200 back (2:04.90). Isabella Guadiamos and Maggie Robben also turned in a pair of top-three finishes as Guadiamos took second in the 400 IM (4:36.67) and Robben notched third in the 200 free (1:55.26). Himes continued to lead the Redhawks on the third day as she collected her third first-place finish, winning the 200 breaststroke (2:21.87). Cassie Koester added another podium finish as she finished second in the 500 free (5:09.02).
WAC CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2020 WAC Swimming and Diving Championship will be leaving Houston for the first time in five years. This year Dixie State will be hosting the WAC Women's Swimming Championship that will be held on Feb. 17-20 in St. George, Utah. The WAC Men's Swimming Championship will be hosted by UNLV on Feb. 24-27. Meanwhile, the WAC Men's and Women's Diving Championship will take place on the campus of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, Ariz. on Feb. 25-27. Last year Air Force took home the Men's Swimming & Diving Championship while Northern Arizona won the women's championship for the seventh consecutive year.