This Week in WAC Swimming and Diving - Nov. 11
This Week in WAC Swimming and Diving - Nov. 11
WOMEN'S ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: NOV. 3-9
Dixie State's Haley Altman has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Women's Swimmer of the Week for Nov. 3-9.
Altman, a freshman from Johnson City, Tenn., began her career with a pair of impressive swims as the Trailblazers took on BYU in a dual to open their season. She collected her first individual collegiate win in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:02.07, shattering the previous Dixie State school record by 1.17 seconds. This time also clocks in as the 14th fastest time in the nation thus far. Additionally, she swam the second leg of the 200 medley relay to help lead DSU's "A" team to a second-place finish and a second school record (1:44.99).
OTHER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK NOMINEES
Other women's swimmer nominees: Northern Colorado's Saana Liikonen turned in first-place finishes in both the 50 free (23.75) and 100 free (52.02) while also anchoring a pair of top-placing relays for the Bears.
DIXIE STATE
The Dixie State women's swim team made its NCAA Division I debut on Saturday, competing in a dual meet at BYU. The Trailblazers opener was highlighted by a pair of new school records. The first record was bested in the first race of the meet as sophomore Drew Roper, freshmen Haley Altman, Akalia Bostock and senior Miriam Gonzalez combining to finish second in the 200-yard medley relay (1:44.99). Altman then added to her strong start as she managed a first-place finish and a school record in the 100 breaststroke, reaching the wall at 1:01.97 (altitude adjusted). Six other DSU top-10 all-time performances were turned in on Saturday as well, inlcuding junior Alaina Otterstrom's sixth fastest time in the 200 butterfly (2:11.34 - altitude adjusted).
NORTHERN COLORADO
Northern Colorado's swim and dive team collected their first win of the season as they took down Colorado Mesa, 145-117. The Bears were lead by junior Anna Austin. Austin touched first in a trio of individual events: the 1,000 freestyle (10:46.69), 200 butterfly (2:10.65) and the 500 freestyle (5:14.13). Freshmen Katelyn Bergin and Saana Liikonen also began their season with strong performances. Bergin turned in first-place finishes in the 100 backstroke (58.43) and 200 backstroke (57.66). Meanwhile, Liikonen finished out front in the 50 free (23.75) and 100 free (52.02). Madelyn Moore and Emina Pasukan also joined Bergin and Liikonen to put together a victory in the 200 medley relay (1:45.46). Overall, the Bears combined for wins in seven individual events and two relays.
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.