San Diego State vs. Wyoming

LARAMIE, Wyoming, January 29. THE Laramie Rec. Center played host to a women's Mountain West Conference dual meet between the Wyoming Cowgirls and San Diego State Aztecs Friday evening. In a close meet, the Cowgirls pulled ahead of the Aztecs for the 153-128 victory. 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 play. 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 and touched in at 1:44.48 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 today's dual. Tomorrow 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 placed first and second against the Aztecs in dual action, they also placed one-two for the entire one-meter competition in Colorado Springs. Ortiz finished with a total of 275.65 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 added. "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 tomorrow. Next up for the Cowgirls will be the Border War against Colorado State on February 4 at 5 p.m. in Corbett Pool.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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