This Week in WAC Swimming and Diving - Dec. 9
This Week in WAC Swimming and Diving - Dec. 9
WAC MEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Grand Canyon's Florent Janin and Air Force's Cole Armagost have been named the Western Athletic Conference Men's Swimmer and Diver of the Week, respectively, for Nov. 30-Dec. 6.
Janin, a junior from New Caledonia, impressed in the Lopes opener, finishing with the top time in the conference in three different races as GCU battled with Arizona on Thursday and Friday. Janin's best showing came in the 50 freestyle as he claimed first with a time of 20 seconds flat, giving him the fastest time in the WAC and 51st in the nation. The junior added two more top-four finishes during the meet, placing second in the 200 free (1:38.27) and fourth in the 100 free (44.31) with both being the fastest times among WAC swimmers thus far. Janin also anchored GCU's 200 free relay team, leading them to a second-place finish (1:21.26).
Armagost, a senior from Papillion, Neb., posted a pair of top-two finishes as Air Force competed against fellow WAC member Wyoming. His top performance came on the 1-meter board as he took home first by more than 27 points, scoring a 307.73. In the 3-meter event, Armagost finished second with a score of 285.00 to make him the top Falcon diver in the event.
WAC WOMEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Grand Canyon's Emily Muteti and Northern Arizona's Emily Sharrer have been named the Western Athletic Conference Men's Swimmer and Diver of the Week, respectively, for Nov. 30-Dec. 6.
Muteti, a redshirt junior from Bombolulu, Kenya, led the way for GCU as they competed against Arizona. Her top swim came in the 100 butterfly where she recorded a lifetime best and earned a first-place finish, reaching the wall at 54.44 seconds. She also impressed in the 50 freestyle as she finished second and turned in another personal best (23.12). Both her time in the 100 fly and 50 free are also good for best in the WAC this season. Muteti also managed a fourth-place finish in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.35) and helped lead the Lopes 200 free relay team to a second-place finish (1:33.84).
Sharrer, a redshirt junior from Tucson, Ariz., landed in the top-10 in all three diving events as she competed alongside divers from UCLA, Arizona, Utah and Idaho in the Lumberjack Diving Invite. Her best performance came in the 3-meter event as she finished second with a score of 276.25, improving on her preliminary score by more than 30 points. The Tucson native ranked seventh in the platform event, scoring 181.40. Sharrer wrapped up her weekend on the 1-meter board where she scored 248.05 points to place eighth.
OTHER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK NOMINEES
Other men's swimmer nominees: Air Force's Isaac Gwin took home first in the 100 back (47.66) and 200 IM (1:51.76) while also leading the Falcons 200 medley relay team to a first-place finish (1:27.58)… Wyoming's Ryan Netzel claimed the top spot in the 200 freestyle (1:41.59) and took second in the 500 freestyle (4:46.32).
Other men's diver nominees: Grand Canyon's Isaac Poole finished third in the 1-meter dive with an NCAA Qualifying Score of 310.85 as he competed against divers from Utah and Arizona at the Lumberjack Diving Invite… Wyoming's Juan Gonzalez recorded the top dive in the 3-meter event (299.55) and secured third at the 1-meter height (276.98).
Other women's swimmer nominees: Northern Colorado's Anna Austin turned in four top-five finishes, including earning the top spot in both the 1000 freestyle (10:46.73) and 200 butterfly (2:10.69) as the Bears swam against Wyoming.
Other women's diver nominees: Idaho's Emily Mack earned ninth-place finishes in both the 3-meter (240.90) and platform (155.40) events.
AIR FORCE
The Air Force men's swimming and diving team battled with fellow WAC foe Wyoming. Team scores were not kept, however, the Falcons won 13 of the 16 events in the dual. Juniors Isaac Gwin, Corey Shepard and Adam Grimm led the way with two wins a piece. Gwin took home first in the 100 backstroke (47.66) and 200 individual medley (1:51.76). Shepard finished out front in the 50 free (20.42) and 100 free (45.76) while Grimm earned the top spot in the 500 free (4:39.95) and 1000 free (9:35.95). Junior Matthew Lattin also turned in a winning performance as he touched first in the 100 fly (49.81). Sophomore Tory Bartlett added another AF victory as he won the 200 breast (2:02.86). Gwin, Lattin and Shepard teamed up with Eric Wu to pick up the win in the 200 medley relay (1:27.58). Lattin and Wu were also a part of the first-place 400 free relay team alongside Erik Orr and Andrew Limpert, clocking in at 3:05.80.
Cole Armagost got off to a strong start to his senior season as he finished first on the 1-meter board (307.73) and second at the 3-meter height (285.00). Brett Jenkins and Eric Althouse also turned in top-five finishes as Jenkins took fifth on the 1-meter board and Althouse notched fourth on the 3-meter board.
CALIFORNIA BAPTIST
The California Baptist men's swim team was able to compete in the CSCAA Virtual Cup. The Virtual Cup hosted 1,373 student-athletes from across the country that were able to compete from their home pools. The Lancers earned the top spot in 17 of the 23 swim events that were contested. Senior Jacob Leahy led the way, posting five times that were good for first-place. He was atop the group in the 100 free (45.42), the 50 back (22.23), the 100 back (50.07), the 50 fly (22.38) and 100 IM (51.59). Junior Robert Mosely claimed the top time in the 200 back (1:48.40), 200 IM (1:54.50) and 400 IM (3:59.89). Scott Tolman claimed both the 50 and 100 breaststrokes, touching at 25.18 and 53.93, respectively. Josh Walters and David Miller also turned in top performances as Walters finished first in the 100 fly (49.94) and Miller paced the group in the 200 fly (1:56.77).
The Lancers' relay teams impressed as they took three of the five relay races. CBU's 200 medley relay team of Leahy, Tolman, Walters and Matthew Niculae combined to clock in at 1:30.99. The Lancers also took the top spot in the 400 and 800 free relays, touching at 3:07.37 and 6:43.62, respectively.
GRAND CANYON
The Lopes men's swim team dropped their season opener as they fell to Arizona, 1,299-1,127. Florent Janin led the way for GCU as he took home a first-place finish in the 50 free (20.00). Junior Dawson Sloan claimed the third spot in the 50 free, reaching the wall at 20.28. Sophomore Mikhail Lyubavisky also turned in a solid performance as he finished second in the 500 free (4:28.44). Sophomore Amir Haviv tallied a fourth top-three finish as he took second in the 100 breast (55.55). The squad of Samuel McKenzie, Haviv, Adrian Curbelo and Janin combined to finish second in the 200 medley relay, clocking in at 1:28.96. Curbelo also added a second-place finish in the 100 fly (47.76) while freshman Harper Houk took third in the 200 breast (2:01.70).
The GCU divers were paced by Isaac Poole as he took fourth in the 1-meter event (310.85), competing alongside divers from Utah and Arizona at the Lumberjack Diving Invite. Thomas Wesche was the Lopes top performer on the 3-meter board as he finished fifth (274.04). Meanwhile, freshman Reece Robles led the way on the platform, finishing with a score of 246.00.
The Grand Canyon women's team also competed against Arizona, falling 1,094-668. Junior Emily Muteti shined bright as she took first in the 100 fly (54.44). The Lopes' 200 free relay team of Kaitlyn Carr, Muteti, Cecelia Mayer and Claire Banic managed a second-place finish, finishing at 1:33.84. Freshman Madeline Vindiola also looked sharp as she claimed second in the 500 free (5:01.94) and first in the 1,650 free (17:24.45). Junior Kristina Miletic earned second in the 400 individual medley (4:42.02) and third in the 200 free (1:54.00).
The Lopes divers on the women's side also competed at the Lumberjack Diving Invite against stiff competition as UCLA, Arizona, Utah joined WAC members Northern Arizona and Idaho at the event. Day one was highlighted by freshman Lizzy McKnight's fourth-place finish in the 3-meter event (268.65). McKnight jumped eight spots after entering the finals in 12th following prelims. At the 1-meter height, McKnight earned 12th (235.70) while junior Nicole Yeakley claimed 18th.
IDAHO
The Vandal divers hit the board in Flagstaff, Ariz., as they competed in the Lumberjack Diving Invite. Freshman Emily Mack was the leader of the pack for Idaho as she took ninth in both the 3-meter dive (240.90) and platform dive (155.40). Sophomore Hailey Faith was the Vandals top performer in the 1-meter dive, finishing in 15th with a score of 213.95. Sophomore Allison Shimp also turned in a top-10 finish in the platform dive as she finished just behind Mack in 10th (144.25).
NORTHERN ARIZONA
The NAU dive team was in action over the weekend as they hosted the Lumberjack Diving Invite. Senior Emily Sharrer started the competition with a second-place finish on the 3-meter board (276.25). Sophomore Emily Luberto led the way for Northern Arizona on day two as she notched a fourth-place finish in the platoform event, scoring 208.60 points. The final day was headlined by Jenny Cheetham's fourth-place finish on the 1-meter board as she totaled 261.80 points and finished behing a trio of Pac-12 divers.
NORTHERN COLORADO
The Bears women's swim team took on Wyoming on Saturday, falling 144-118. The day started strong with a win in the 200 medley relay as the team of Madelyn Moore, Emina Pasukan, Katelyn Bergin and freshman Saana Liikonen combined to clock in at 1:46.03. Bergin added an individual win in the 100 fly (58.52) on top of a third-place finish in the 100 back (58.89). Moore and Liikonen also went 1-2 in the 50 and 100 freestyle events. Junior Anna Austin looked strong in the long-distance events once again as she finished first in the both the 1,000 free (10:46.73) and 200 fly (2:10.69).
WYOMING
The Wyoming men's swimming and diving teams kicked off their season in an exhibition dual with WAC rival Air Force. Junior Ryan Netzel paced the Cowboys as he finished first in the 200 free (1:41.59). UW also looked strong in the 200 fly as freshman Luke Walker (1:54.99), Harry Tjaden (1:55.55) and Cameron Walker (1:55.99) went one-two-three in the event. Junior Austin Crump was able to come away with two top-three finishes, finishing second in the 100 free (46.46) and third in the 200 free (1:41.82) while Mitchell Hovis added a third-place finish of his own in the 100 breast (55.93)
The Cowboy divers were led by Freshman Juan Gonzalez as he earned the top score on the 3-meter board (299.55) in his collegiate opener. Junior Brendan Byrnes took second on the 1-meter board, scoring 280.43 while Gonzalez took third behind Byrnes, turning in a career-best mark of 276.98.
OTHER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK NOMINEES
Other men's swimmer nominees: Air Force's Isaac Gwin took home first in the 100 back (47.66) and 200 IM (1:51.76) while also leading the Falcons 200 medley relay team to a first-place finish (1:27.58)… Wyoming's Ryan Netzel claimed the top spot in the 200 freestyle (1:41.59) and took second in the 500 freestyle (4:46.32).
Other men's diver nominees: Grand Canyon's Isaac Poole finished third in the 1-meter dive with an NCAA Qualifying Score of 310.85 as he competed against divers from Utah and Arizona at the Lumberjack Diving Invite… Wyoming's Juan Gonzalez recorded the top dive in the 3-meter event (299.55) and secured third at the 1-meter height (276.98).
Other women's swimmer nominees: Northern Colorado's Anna Austin turned in four top-five finishes, including earning the top spot in both the 1000 freestyle (10:46.73) and 200 butterfly (2:10.69) as the Bears swam against Wyoming.
Other women's diver nominees: Idaho's Emily Mack earned ninth-place finishes in both the 3-meter (240.90) and platform (155.40) events.
AIR FORCE
The Air Force men's swimming and diving team battled with fellow WAC foe Wyoming. Team scores were not kept, however, the Falcons won 13 of the 16 events in the dual. Juniors Isaac Gwin, Corey Shepard and Adam Grimm led the way with two wins a piece. Gwin took home first in the 100 backstroke (47.66) and 200 individual medley (1:51.76). Shepard finished out front in the 50 free (20.42) and 100 free (45.76) while Grimm earned the top spot in the 500 free (4:39.95) and 1000 free (9:35.95). Junior Matthew Lattin also turned in a winning performance as he touched first in the 100 fly (49.81). Sophomore Tory Bartlett added another AF victory as he won the 200 breast (2:02.86). Gwin, Lattin and Shepard teamed up with Eric Wu to pick up the win in the 200 medley relay (1:27.58). Lattin and Wu were also a part of the first-place 400 free relay team alongside Erik Orr and Andrew Limpert, clocking in at 3:05.80.
Cole Armagost got off to a strong start to his senior season as he finished first on the 1-meter board (307.73) and second at the 3-meter height (285.00). Brett Jenkins and Eric Althouse also turned in top-five finishes as Jenkins took fifth on the 1-meter board and Althouse notched fourth on the 3-meter board.
CALIFORNIA BAPTIST
The California Baptist men's swim team was able to compete in the CSCAA Virtual Cup. The Virtual Cup hosted 1,373 student-athletes from across the country that were able to compete from their home pools. The Lancers earned the top spot in 17 of the 23 swim events that were contested. Senior Jacob Leahy led the way, posting five times that were good for first-place. He was atop the group in the 100 free (45.42), the 50 back (22.23), the 100 back (50.07), the 50 fly (22.38) and 100 IM (51.59). Junior Robert Mosely claimed the top time in the 200 back (1:48.40), 200 IM (1:54.50) and 400 IM (3:59.89). Scott Tolman claimed both the 50 and 100 breaststrokes, touching at 25.18 and 53.93, respectively. Josh Walters and David Miller also turned in top performances as Walters finished first in the 100 fly (49.94) and Miller paced the group in the 200 fly (1:56.77).
The Lancers' relay teams also impressed as they took three of the five relay races. CBU's 200 medley relay team of Leahy, Tolman, Walters and Matthew Niculae combined to clock in at 1:30.99. The Lancers also took the top spot in the 400 and 800 free relays, touching at 3:07.37 and 6:43.62, respectively.
GRAND CANYON
The Lopes men's swim team dropped their season opener as they fell to Arizona, 1,299-1,127. Florent Janin led the way for GCU as he took home a first-place finish in the 50 free (20.00). Junior Dawson Sloan claimed the third spot in the 50 free, reaching the wall at 20.28. Sophomore Mikhail Lyubavisky also turned in a solid performance as he finished second in the 500 free (4:28.44). Sophomore Amir Haviv tallied a fourth top-three finish as he took second in the 100 breast (55.55). The squad of Samuel McKenzie, Haviv, Adrian Curbelo and Janin combined to finish second in the 200 medley relay, clocking in at 1:28.96. Curbelo also added a second-place finish in the 100 fly (47.76) while freshman Harper Houk took third in the 200 breast (2:01.70).
The GCU divers were paced by Isaac Poole as he took fourth in the 1-meter event (310.85), competing alognside divers from Utah and Arizona at the Lumberjack Diving Invite. Thomas Wesche was the Lopes top performer on the 3-meter board as he finished fifth (274.04). Meanwhile, freshman Reece Robles led the way on the platform, finishing with a score of 246.00.
The Grand Canyon women's team also competed against Arizona, falling 1,094-668. Junior Emily Muteti shined bright as she took first in the 100 fly (54.44). The Lopes' 200 free relay team of Kaitlyn Carr, Muteti, Cecelia Mayer and Claire Banic managed a second-place finish, finishing at 1:33.84. Freshman Madeline Vindiola also looked sharp as she claimed second in the 500 free (5:01.94) and first in the 1,650 free (17:24.45). Junior Kristina Miletic earned second in the 400 individual medley (4:42.02) and third in the 200 free (1:54.00).
The Lopes divers on the women's side also competed at the Lumberjack Diving Invite against stiff competition as UCLA, Arizona, Utah joined WAC members Northern Arizona and Idaho at the event. Day one was highlighted by freshman Lizzy McKnight's fourth place finish in the 3-meter event (268.65). McKnight jumped eight spots after entering the finals in 12th following prelims. At the 1-meter height, McKnight earned 12th (235.70) while junior Nicole Yeakley claimed 18th.
IDAHO
The Vandal divers hit the board in Flagstaff, Ariz., as they competed in the Lumberjack Diving Invite. Freshman Emily Mack was the leader of the pack for Idaho as she took ninth in both the 3-meter dive (240.90) and platform dive (155.40). Sophomore Hailey Faith was the Vandals top performer in the 1-meter dive, finishing in 15th with a score of 213.95. Sophomore Allison Shimp also turned in a top-10 finish in the platform dive as she finished just behind Mack in 10th (144.25).
NORTHERN ARIZONA
The NAU dive team was in action over the weekend as they hosted the Lumberjack Diving Invite. Senior Emily Sharrer started the competition with a second-place finish on the 3-meter board (276.25). Sophomore Emily Luberto led the way for Northern Arizona on day two as she notched a fourth-place finish in the platoform event, scoring 208.60 points. The final day was headlined by Jenny Cheetham's fourth-place finish on the 1-meter board as she totaled 261.80 points and finished behing a trio of Pac-12 divers.
NORTHERN COLORADO
The Bears women's swim team took on Wyoming on Saturday, falling 144-118. The day started strong with a win in the 200 medley relay as the team of Madelyn Moore, Emina Pasukan, Katelyn Bergin and freshman Saana Liikonen combined to clock in at 1:46.03. Bergin added an individual win in the 100 fly (58.52) on top of a third-place finish in the 100 back (58.89). Moore and Liikonen also went 1-2 in the 50 and 100 freestyle events. Junior Anna Austin looked strong in the long-distance events once again as she finished first in the both the 1,000 free (10:46.73) and 200 fly (2:10.69).
WYOMING
The Wyoming men's swimming and diving teams kicked off their season in an exhibition dual with WAC rival Air Force. Junior Ryan Netzel paced the Cowboys as he finished first in the 200 free (1:41.59). UW also looked strong in the 200 fly as freshman Luke Walker (1:54.99), Harry Tjaden (1:55.55) and Cameron Walker (1:55.99) went one-two-three in the event. Junior Austin Crump was able to come away with two top-three finishes, finishing second in the 100 free (46.46) and third in the 200 free (1:41.82) while Mitchell Hovis added a third-place finish of his own in the 100 breast (55.93)
The Cowboy divers were led by Freshman Juan Gonzalez as he earned the top score on the 3-meter board (299.55) in his collegiate opener. Junior Brendan Byrnes took second on the 1-meter board, scoring 280.43 while Gonzalez took third behind Byrnes, turning in a career-best mark of 276.98.