Northern Arizona Women, UNLV Men Lead After Day One
Pharr, Texas – The 2023 WAC swimming and diving championships began in record breaking fashion. Grand Canyon’s women 200-yard medley relay team broke the WAC record with a time of 1:39.13. That record was set by San Jose State back in 2012. California Baptist’s Gael Jimenez-Mestes also broke the WAC record in the men’s one meter diving, which had been standing since 2013.
After one day of action, Northern Arizona leads in the women’s team rankings with 133 points, followed by Grand Canyon with 98 and NM State with 73 through six events. On the men’s side, UNLV is ahead in the team rankings with 102 points with Air Force (95), Grand Canyon (92) and California Baptist (92) all totaling over 90 points after one day of action.
UNLV claimed the men's 200 medley relay with a time of 1:24.85 by Panos Bolanos, Danny Beji, George Ratiu and Reece Hemmens. Hemmens swam the fastest split of the relay clocking 18.87 on the final leg. GCU placed second with a time of 1:25.73, and Wyoming finished third with a time of 1:26.67.
GCU claimed the women's 800 freestyle relay with a time of 7:16.69 by Maria Brunleher, Maria Chatzi, Krisalyn Henderson and Aleksand Wegrzynowsk. NAU placed second with a time of 7:17.96, and NM State finished third with a time of 7:19.69.
Day two of the 2023 WAC Swimming & Diving Championships begins on Thursday, February 23 at 10:30 a.m. CT with the women’s one meter dive along with the women’s and men's 500 freestyle, 200 IM and 50 freestyle.
-WAC-