By Emma Foster, Swimming World College Intern
Lina Rathsack of UNLV had a record breaking morning in the second prelims session of the 2016 Mountain West Conference Championship. Rathsack broke the Mountain West Championship record, previously held by Katelyn Weddle of San Diego State. Rathsack posted a 1:00.42 to upstage Weddle’s time of 1:00.65 set in 2010. Maria Harutjunjan of Wyoming followed in 1:00.98, while teammate Emily Ridout of Wyoming was third in 1:01.36.
In the 400 IM, Rachael Kelch of San Diego State posted a time of 4:15.44 to grab the top seed. She was followed by Yawen Li of Nevada who was just behind in 4:15.56. After their matchup in the 200 IM yesterday, these two women should have an exciting race tonight. They are followed by Emma Dow of Wyoming who swam a 4:18.90 to grab the third seed.
Brittany Aoyama of Boise State will go into tonight as the top seed in the 100 fly, with a swim of 53.05 this morning. She is followed by Summer Harrison of San Diego State, who posted 53.65. Molly Coonce of Wyoming was just behind in 53.70.
In the 200 free, Emma Chard of Boise posted a 1:46.46 to outtouch Riley Spitser of San Jose State who nabbed the second seed in 1:46.96. Felicity Cann of Boise State was third in 1:47.26.
In the 100 back, Samantha Wicks of Boise swam away from the field in a time of 52.03. Isobel Ryan of Wyoming was the second fastest this morning in 53.59, while Jessica Shepard of Colorado State was third in 53.89.
Finals will begin tonight at 6:30 CT.