Young, Dilworth win MWC titles

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Two Wyoming swimmers were crowned Mountain West Conference Champions Friday as Lesley Young won the 100 breaststroke and Marshall Dilworth won the 100 backstroke at the Oklahoma City Community College Aquatics Center.

Not only were both times school records, but Young’s time of 1 minute, 1.42 seconds is the fastest in MWC history. Dilworth’s time of 48.33 is the third fastest in conference history.

The UNLV men are on top of the standings with 584 points. Trailing the Rebels are Air Force (412), Wyoming (372), BYU (364), TCU (272), and Utah (223).

BYU is currently leading on the women’s side with 457. UNLV is next with 397, followed by Wyoming (395), Utah (366), CSU (299), San Diego State (257), TCU (236), New Mexico (174), and Air Force (93).

"The women have improved greatly and I am pleased with their performances," said UW head coach Tom Johnson. "They have battled hard this entire week and have swam well. We kind of dug ourselves in a hole on the first day on the men’s side, but they are still performing well and hopefully can make a comeback tomorrow."

The Cowgirls broke a total of three school records, highlighted by Young’s new fastest MWC time in the 100 breaststroke. That time is also NCAA "B" qualifying. Stephanie Vint swam well with a time of 4:20.19 in the 400 IM and was fifth, also a new school record. Kari Budd finished 12th in 400 IM to give the Cowgirls needed points.

The other school record that was broken on the day was in the 400 medley relay. Kelsey Conci, Young, Shelby Bull, and Cassie Stelow swam a time of 3:45.83 and placed sixth. Other Cowgirls in events today were Kristen Flachbarth (1:51.02) and Aimee Stinson (1:51.46) who finished tenth and 11th respectively in the 200 freestyle. Bull was 12th in the 100 butterfly (56.78), Stelow tenth in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.41), Conci (56.51) 11th and Caroline Wells (57.45) 16th in the 100 backstroke.

"Lesley’s record breaking time was impressive and she made a good drop from her seeded time. Stephanie and Kari swam good races as well in a very tough field. Kristen and Aimee had times that I was very impressed with and helped a lot with the points they earned," said Johnson.

The Cowgirl divers were on the platform event, while the Cowboy divers had the day off. Emily Huth led the way in eighth place with a mark of 206.45 points. Stephanie Ortiz was close behind and finished in ninth with 203.35. Other Cowgirl divers in the event was Allie Smith in 10th (212.40), and Tiffany Izatt (210.45) in 11th.

"It’s hard for the divers on the platform since we don’t have one to train on at our pool. But Emily and Stephanie did a great job and I am proud of their efforts as well as Allie’s and Tiffany’s performances ," Johnson said.

The Cowboy swim of the day came from Dilworth in the 100 backstroke. Behind Dilworth were teammates Tyler Kybartas in 12th (50.39), Devin Hougardy 14th (51.14), and Nathan Fuller in 15th (51.39). In the 400 IM, freshman Brett Henehan was close to winning, but finished third in 3:57.38.

Matt Urich was last year’s champion in the 100 butterfly and placed third this year in 47.80. Kybartas (49.40) and James Rigg (50.08) were 11th and 12th respectively. In the 100 breaststroke, Brandon Fischer swam the fourth best time in UW history and finished fourth in 54.69. Alex Larkin was close behind in seventh in 55.75, while fellow senior Eli Bell was sixth in the 200 freestyle in 1:38.34.

The Cowboy 400 medley relay squad also broke a school record. Dilworth, Fischer, Urich, and Bell swam a time of 3:15. 66 and placed third.

"Marshall had a lot of pressure on him after he was first in the preliminary round, but kept his focus and was able to win the 100 back," Johnson said. "I was very proud of how Brett and Matt swam their events today and Tyler and Eli were very solid, especially in the relay."

Action concludes Saturday in the 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, men’s platform diving, and 1650 freestyle. Preliminary rounds begin at 9 a.m., with finals starting at 5 p.m.