Cowboy swimmers get rare win against BYU

PROVO, Utah -- The Wyoming Cowboy swimming and diving team earned a huge victory on Saturday afternoon, as they defeated BYU, 183-117 -- the win over the Cougars in 21 years.

"It’s a great day for current and former Cowboy swimmers," said UW head coach Tom Johnson. "It was a total team effort today and the men really wanted this win and swam like it. Its a great win for the seniors, underclassmen, and former UW swimmers."

The Pokes were led by freshman Marshall Dilworth, who won three individual events, and one relay race. Dilworth led off on the 200 medley relay, won the 100 backstroke (50.88 seconds), 200 backstroke (1:51.52) and 200 IM (1:54.91). Other Cowboys that won events were Brandon Fischer, in the 100 breaststroke (56.48); Matt Urich, in the 200 (1:52.62) and 100 butterfly (49.57); Alex Larkin, in the 200 breaststroke (2:04.72) and the 400 freestyle relay team (3:04,84).

The Cowboys advance to 11-1 overall, 3-1 in conference, while BYU falls to 5-4, 3-3 in the league.

On the women’s side, the Cowgirls fall to 8-3 overall and 2-3 in the MWC with a 188-111defeat. With the victory, the BYU women (16-1, 7-0) secured the regular season MWC title.

"The women swam, well especially Lesley Young and Aimee Stinson. They had some of the fastest times today they have had all season," Johnson said.

Young placed first in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:04.02, while Stinson finished first in the 1000 freestyle with a time of 10:21.46.

The UW divers continued their success as they won three of the four boards at the meet. Stephanie Ortiz led the way by winning both the one-meter (302.49 points) and three-meter (308.70). This season, Ortiz has not lost on the three-meter board in a dual meet. For the Cowboys, Tyler Miller won the one-meter event after posting a personal best score of 329.78.

"The divers were terrific and they took us over the top in this meet," Johnson said. "It was a great day for the men’s team and we will gear up for our next meets."

The Cowgirl swimmers will be on the road for their next meet against San Diego State next Saturday at 1 p.m. The UW diving team will also be on the road next weekend as they compete at the Air Force Invite.