Western Athletic Conference Championships: Day Three

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, February 25. BOISE State had another strong day to remain in the lead at the 2011 Western Athletic Conference Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships being held at the Palo Alto College Natatorium in San Antonio, Texas. The Broncos are looking to repeat as WAC champions with one more day of competition remaining.

In Friday’s finals, New Mexico State freshman Tricia Kiss won the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:16.62. Christine Raininger of Boise State earned the silver medal with a time of 4:16.75. Both times were NCAA “B” cuts. Boise State’s Chelsea Miller was third, clocking a time of 4:21.71.

Boise State’s Amber Boucher repeated as WAC champion in the 100 butterfly in an NCAA provisional time of 52.05, and also set a new pool record. The race for second was a tight one between three swimmers. Boise State’s Stevie Hughey swam a time of 54.64 to edge out New Mexico State’s Beth Cate (54.68) and Boise State’s Rachel Heaney (54.70).

In the 200 freestyle, Boise State’s Stephanie North improved on her second place finish last year with a gold medal after swimming a time of 1:46.96. Nevada’s Jiao Jiao Mi was second after posting a time of 1:48.64 while Hawaii’s Maura Barrett took the bronze in 1:48.72. All three swam NCAA provisional times.

New Mexico State senior Alannah Lawrence won the 100 breaststroke for the second straight year with an NCAA provisional time of 1:01.35. Hawaii’s Taylor Ritenberg was second with a time of 1:01.70 while Boise State’s Kelly Forrester garnered third place honors with a time of 1:02.04.

Idaho freshman Shana Lim swam the performance of the night when she broke the 14-year-old WAC record and 12-year-old WAC championship meet record in the 100 backstroke with a time of 53.00. SMU’s Lia Oberstar set the previous WAC record of 53.22 in 1997 and the meet record of 53.38 two years later. Last year’s champion, Northern Arizona’s Fi Connell was second in a time of 54.23 and Boise State’s Denise Green took third in 54.53. All three medalists swam NCAA provisional times.

Hawaii’s Emma Friesen won her second straight diving event, this time taking gold on the three-meter board with a score of 344.55. Friesen was also the 2009 champion. Nevada’s Grace Huang was second with 309.60 points followed by Northern Arizona’s Lanette Christensen (291.95).

In the final event of the evening, Boise State broke both the WAC meet and pool records with a time of 3:37.88 in the 400 medley relay. The defending champion in the event consisted of the same team from last year: Denise Green, Kelly Forrester, Boucher and North. New Mexico State was second (3:42.24), while Hawaii placed third (3:3:43.36).

After three days of competition, Boise State leads with 585 points, while Hawaii is second with 404. Northern Arizona is third with 353 points, followed by San Jose State with 336, New Mexico State (293), Nevada (198), Fresno State (170) and Idaho (146).

Action concludes tomorrow at the Palo Alto College Natatorium with the 1,650 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, 3-meter diving and the 400 freestyle relay. Prelims begin at 11:00 a.m., the first three heats of the 1650 free begin at 4:30 p.m. and the finals start at 6:30 p.m.

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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