NCAA Div. I: BYU’s Cougars Swamp the Utes
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Jan. 31. IN the last dual meet of the season, the BYU men’s and women’s swim teams defeated the University of Utah Friday night at the Utah Natatorium by scores of 129-69 and 139-102, respectively.
For the No. 23 men’s team (9-0, 4-0) the win capped their second undefeated season in three years. Last year’s team lost only one meet on the way to the
conference title.
The men captured 12 of 13 events against the Utes including a sweep in the 200 free and both diving events. Senior Aaron Russell won both the 1-M and 3-M
boards, ending the year undefeated in the 3-M event in dual meet competition.
Senior Jeff Mason swam to two individual victories in the meet winning the 100 and 200 free events in his last dual meet competition of his college career.
Mason also swam the lead-off leg of the winning 200 free relay.
“We swam a little slower than the last time we competed against Utah (on Nov.1, 2002),” said men’s head coach Tim Powers. “The guys are tired from the speed training. We will begin tapering to rest some as we prepare for conference.”
On the women’s side, it was the third consecutive win for the Lady Cougars, who are coming together after a tough start on the season. They finish the regular season 5-6 overall and 3-4 in conference. With the win, BYU avenged their first loss to the Utes in school history that took place this season back on Nov. 1, 2002.
“We are getting a little better every week,” said women’s head coach Stan Crump. “The kids really raced today in every event. I thought it was great.”
Senior Cortnee Adams turned in the strongest performance for the women coming away with wins in the 100 and 200 free and then anchoring the winning 200 free relay team in her final collegiate dual meet.
Friday’s meet does not count towards conference standings as both schools agreed to use the results from their first meeting in November.
The Cougars will prepare to defend their three consecutive Mountain West Conference titles when the teams travel to Oklahoma City, OK, for the conference championships on Feb. 19-22.