This Week in WAC Swimming and Diving - Dec. 15
This Week in WAC Swimming and Diving - Dec. 15
WOMEN'S ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: DEC. 8-12
Grand Canyon's Emily Muteti and Northern Arizona's Victoria Knapp has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Women's Swimmer and Diver of the Week for Dec. 8 through 12.
Muteti, a senior from Bombolulu, Kenya, collected a total of four wins on the Lopes' three-way meet against Ottawa, Northern Arizona and Arizona Christian, this past weekend. She won two in the individual events in the 50 freestyle (22.71) and 100 butterfly (54.19) breaking previous pool records on both. She swam the butterfly leg of the winning 200 medley relay (1:41.17) and led off the 400 freestyle relay, both relays also broke the pool records.
Knapp, a sophomore from Mesa, Ariz., swept the diving events on the Lumberjacks' dual meet against Grand Canyon. She won the 1-meter with a score of 309.23 that tops this season's WAC score standings by 30.08 points. Knapp also won the 3-meter dive with a WAC-topping score of 326.55.
OTHER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Other swimmer nominee: Northern Arizona's Casey Craffey won two individual event against Grand Canyon, Saturday. She won the 1000 freestyle (10:12.19) and the 500 freestyle (4:56.52).
Other diver nominee: Grand Canyon's Abigail Erickson finished runner-up in the 1-meter (281.70) and third in the 3-meter 279.30) against Northern Arizona, Saturday.
GRAND CANYON
Grand Canyonhosted Northern Arizona, Arizona Christian and Ottawa in its home opener, Saturday.
The women collected three wins in one day after defeating NAU 182.50-117.50, ACU 243-32 and Ottawa 245-20 in dual meets. The Lopes defeated in-state and conference foe NAU for the first time in school history.
The Lopes opened the event with a sweep and a pool record in the 200-yard medley relay. The women's team set the pool record with a time of one minute, 41.17 seconds, beating Brigham Young's record time of 1:43.71 from 2020. The men posted a time of 1:31.86 for the victory.
Aleksandra Wegrzynowska set two pool records in her 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly victories. She also earned a second-place finish the 500 freestyle (4:58.97). Maria Brunlehner swam a 49.68 for the 100 freestyle record. Brunlehner also won the 200 individual medley (2:01.12).
Raphaela Nakashima swept the 100 (1:02.83) and 200 breaststroke (2:16.81).
WAC Swimmer of the week, Muteti. set pool records in the 50 freestyle (22.71) and the 100 butterfly (54.19). Robyn Edwards won the 200 backstroke (1:58.58), breaking the pool record.
The men outscored ACU 216-44 and Ottawa 217-36. The Lopes won all 14 individual events against the Firestorm and the Spirit.
Florent Janin swam a pool record in the 200 freestyle (1:37.60) to jump-start the Lopes. Jacob Folsom followed up with a win in the 100 backstroke (52.09).Alonso Carazo Barbero picked up a win in the 200 backtroke (1:51.81). Omar Elsayd won the 50 (19.90) and 100 freestyles (45.12). Amir Haviv delivered in the 100 breaststroke (55.19).
WAC women's diver of the week nominee, Erickson, earned a second-place finish in the 1-meter event by scoring 281.70 to qualify for the NCAA zones.
NORTHERN ARIZONA
The Lumberjacks travelled to Grand Canyon University falling 182.5-117.5.
WAC Dive of the Week, Knapp, took first in the 1-meter and 3-meter events. Both of Knapps finishes were NCAA zone qualifying scores.
WAC Swimmer of the Week nominee, Craffey, finished first in the 1000 yard freestyle (10:12.19) and the 500 yard freestyle (4:56.42). Francesca Criscione came in second place in the 1000 freestyle (10:27.90).
Rachael Lytle gave the Lumberjacks another second place finish in the 200 butterfly (2:04.39). Haley Mayhew brought in the 200 breastroke (2:21.55), followed by Delaney Phillips in third at 2:23.01. Caylah Jago placed second in the 100 butterfly (55.24).