Cowgirl swimmers beat SDSU

A home meet at a different venue proved to be to the Wyoming women's swim team's liking, as the Cowgirls rolled toppled San Diego State 153-128 Friday at the Laramie Recreation Center Pool.

Meanwhile, in Colorado Springs, Colo., the Wyoming divers were competing in the Air Force Invite. Cowgirl one-meter scores were added into the final dual meet scores today, while tomorrow’s three-meter will also be counted. However, the Cowgirls were able to take down the Aztecs without three-meter diving scores added in.

The Cowgirls extend their overall record to 12-1 and 5-1 in league action. SDSU drops to 11-3 overall and 5-3 in the conference. Coming into the meet tonight, the Aztecs were third in the conference behind BYU and the Cowgirls and also received votes in the latest NCSAA poll.

“Tonight was an awesome meet that was swam very hard on both sides. Our girls put out a great effort and beat a darn good team in San Diego State,” said UW head coach Tom Johnson. “The girls dusted themselves off after the loss the BYU and battled hard for the win tonight.”

Leading off the meet, the Cowgirls Kelsey Conci, Lesley Young, Shelby Bull, and Cassie Stelow swam the 200 medley relay 1 minute, 44.48 seconds, for first place, a new Wyoming pool record.

The Aztecs rallied and won four of the next five events, but the Cowgirls held a narrow lead. Senior Stelow stepped-up to the starting blocks in the 50 freestyle and not only won the event, but broke Olympian Amy Van Dyken’s Corbett Pool record with a time of 23.32.

The Cowgirls went on to win five of the seven remaining events and pulled ahead with great performances from the Cowgirl divers at the Air Force Invite. Shelby Bull won the 100 freestyle in 51.87 and followed that up with a win in the 100 butterfly at 57.63 later in the meet. Lauren Hewson swam the 200 breaststroke in 2:19.30, breaking the old Corbett Pool record that was 2:21.28. Lesley Young swam the 200 IM in 2:09.50 for the last individual win of the night. The Cowgirl 400 freestyle relay also placed first with a time of 3:26.57, another Wyoming pool record.

“Cassie Stelow was blazing fast by breaking former Olympian Amy Van Dyken’s record. She was outstanding in the 50 freestyle and the 400 freestyle relay,” Johnson said. “Lauren Hewson was close to an NCAA provisional time and broke the old pool record. Overall it was a great team effort.”

For the UW divers, both the Cowgirls and Cowboys were competing at the Air Force Invite. Scores from the women’s one-meter today were added into Friday's dual. On Saturday, the Cowgirls three-meter scores will also be added in.

Leading the way was senior captain Stephanie Ortiz and fellow senior Emily Huth. Not only did Ortiz and Huth place first and second against the Aztecs in dual action, they also placed one-two for the entire one-meter competition. Ortiz finished with a total of 275.65 points for the first place finish. Huth was close behind in second with a total of 269.35. Allie Smith also gave the Cowgirls a top-five finish by scoring 251.7 and placing fourth. Virginia Marcon finished with a personal best mark of 249.60 and placed sixth, while sophomore Tiffany Izatt was tenth in the field of 24.

The Cowboy divers were led by junior Mark Murdock, who placed first on three-meter with a score of 355.60. Sophomore Valentin Schwarz added a fifth placed finish with 257.40.

“The divers were wonderful and gave us very valuable points today,” Johnson said. “It was a blast to have our fans there and out from behind the glass. It was a tremendous atmosphere at the Rec Center.”

The UW divers will continue competing at the Air Force Invite on Saturday. Next up for the Cowgirls will be the Border War against Colorado State Thursday at 5 p.m. in Corbett Pool.