Western Athletic Conference Championships, Day Four

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, February 26. BOISE State University won its second consecutive Western Athletic Conference Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship on Saturday night at the Palo Alto College Natatorium in San Antonio, Texas. The Broncos finished the meet with 835 points, followed by Hawaii with 577. Northern Arizona was third with 535, while San Jose State placed fourth with 499. New Mexico State finished fifth with 405, followed by Nevada (326), Fresno State (276) and Idaho (213).

Boise State junior Amber Boucher earned WAC Swimmer of the Year honors for the second straight season. Hawai’i senior Emma Friesen was named the WAC Diver of the Year, giving the Rainbow Wahine that award in nine of the last 10 seasons. It was also the second time Friesen has received the award after winning it in 2009. Boise State head coach Kristin Hill earned the WAC Coach of the Year award, while Mike Brown of Hawai’i was voted Diving Coach of the Year for the sixth year in a row and seventh time in his career. New Mexico State’s Tricia Kiss was awarded Freshman of the Year, the first such award for an Aggie.

In the first race of the night, Nevada’s Jiao Jiao Mi won the 1,650-yard freestyle with a time of 16:35.57. Northern Arizona’s Emma Lowther was second (16:39.56) and Boise State sophomore Jennifer Cahill placed third (16:51.62).

Northern Arizona’s Fi Connell repeated as WAC champion in the 200 backstroke with an NCAA provisional time of 1:57.05. Boise State’s Denise Green was second with a time of 1:58.74, also a provisonal mark. New Mexico State’s Tricia Kiss took bronze medal honors (2:00.05).

Boise State went 1-2 in the 100 freestyle for the second year in a row as Amber Boucher and Stephanie North swapped finishes from a year ago. Boucher won with a time 48.33 to set a new pool record while North finished in a time of 48.82. Hawaii’s Maura Barrett was third (49.96). All three times were NCAA provisional marks.

Hawaii’s Taylor Ritenberg won her second event of the meet with a time of 2:11.27 in the 200 breaststroke. Boise State freshman Chelsea Miller was second in 2:14.26. Both times were NCAA provisional marks. Northern Arizona’s Jaclyn Branning out-touched her teammate Jordan Burnes for third place (2:18.05).

Boise State freshman Rachel Heaney won the title in the 200 butterfly in 1:58.59. Nevada’s Gabby Guieb placed second for the second straight year with a time of 2:00.42. Boise State’s Christine Raininger, last year’s champion, was third with a time of 2:01.20.

Stephanie De Lima of Hawai’i won the platform diving for the second straight year and third time in four seasons with a score of 234.60. Nevada took the next three spots as Grace Huang was second (219.60), Heather Ramirez third (213.15) and Stephanie Hansen fourth (209.10).

Boise State topped off the competition by winning the 400 free relay in a pool and meet record time of 3:18.25 with the team of North, Stevie Hughey, Kelsy Diener and Boucher. Hawaii took the silver (3:21.02) and San Jose State won the bronze in 3:22.29.

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.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x