Seattle vs. Boise State

BOISE, Idaho, January 14. BOISE State women's swimming and diving won the first nine events as the Broncos cruised to victory Friday, against Seattle, 137-66, at the Boise – West YMCA. In all, Boise State took 10 of the 11 events, as eight different swimmers earned individual victories.

The Broncos started the meet by posting the top three times in the 200-yard medley relay. Freshmen Rachel Heaney and Brooke Balogh followed by finishing 1-2 in the 1000-yard freestyle. Heaney won the event with a season-best time, while Balogh posted a lifetime best.

"There were some definite highlights tonight," said head coach Kristin Hill. "The first relay, all of our squads were really strong. We had the top two times in nine events and picked up some good wins with good times."

The best time of the day came as a bit of a surprise. Junior Amber Boucher won the 100-yard backstroke with the fifth-fastest time in school history, and set the West Y pool record. It was the first time Boucher competed in the event as a Bronco. Senior Denise Green, the school record holder in the event, finished second, still more than three seconds ahead of third place.

"I had never seen Amber compete in the 100 back," Hill said. "She asked to swim it, and she really got after it. That was exciting."

Senior Kelly Forrester won the 50-yard freestyle and placed second in the 100-yard breaststroke. Forrester also helped pace the winning 200-yard medley relay team.

Junior Emily Irvin scored a win in the 100-yard butterfly and notched a season-best time in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Redshirt sophomore Madison Gray won the 500-yard freestyle for the third time this season in the night's most exciting race. Gray held off Seattle's Hayley Cobb by less than three tenths of a second.

Sophomore Shanelle Choi led the way in the 100-yard freestyle, winning the event and delivering a career-best time.

Boise State also earned wins in the 200-yard freestyle (Stephanie North) and 200-yard individual medley (Christine Raininger).

Senior Jenny Nowatzke swam a career-best time in the 200-yard individual medley, while classmate Andrea Thiltgen posted a career best in the 100-yard breaststroke.

The divers did not compete Friday, but return to action Saturday.

Boise State and Seattle will meet again Saturday, beginning at noon, at the Boise – West YMCA. It will be the Broncos' final home meet of the season, and Boise State will honor eight seniors before the first event.

"We are excited to come back and be even faster tomorrow," Hill said.

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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