Wyoming’s Tom Johnson Earns 200th Career Victory As Cowboys Top Air Force

LARAMIE, Wyoming, November 2. IN their final home meet this season, the Wyoming Cowboys earned head coach Tom Johnson his 200th career coaching victory with a convincing 179-121 win over the Air Force Falcons.

Wyoming Press Release

Wyoming swimming and diving head coach Tom Johnson earned his 200th career victory in the Cowboys’ (2-0 overall, 1-0 WAC) 179-121 win over Air Force in the Laramie Recreation Center Pool on Saturday afternoon. Johnson has won 85 duals with the Cowboys and 115 with the Cowgirls in his time at UW. Wyoming finished the afternoon with 12 event wins, as junior Adam Kalms led led the way winning four events.

“I never dreamed that I would get this far, it is a testament to everyone who has been part of the program,” Johnson said. “Air Force gave us a battle today, but we won some important events that turned the meet around.”

Kalms opened his afternoon with a win in the 100 backstroke with a personal-best time of 49.71, a mark that ranks as the fourth fastest in Cowboy history. He also added an individual victory in the 100 butterfly at 49.49.

“We had a lot of good swims today and Adam is a tremendous athlete that has a chance to win every event he is in,” Johnson said.

Wyoming’s senior class made the most of their last home meet picking up four wins. Senior Ethan Griffel picked up victories in the 200 freestyle at 1:40.58 and the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:43.23. Senior Jayce Calhoon added a victory in the 200 breaststroke at 1:51.02. Fellow senior Jeff Freyalso picked up a win in the 50 freestyle with an impressive time of 20.99.

Junior Ryan O’Leary earned a win in the 100 freestyle at 46.26 falling just short of his personal best. Sophomore Ryan Nelson, who is coming off a pool record in Corbett Pool last weekend, won the 200 butterfly at 1:50.1 and the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:55.91. Sophomore Kyle Scalise rounded out UW’s top finishers earning a victory in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:05.75.

“Our big time guys showed up today and they keep on improving,” Johnson said.

The Cowboys won both relay events against the Falcons. UW opened the meet with a win in the 200 medley relay with the team of Kalms, Scalise, Nick Ruteckiand O’Leary, as they finished with a time of 1:31.39. The team of Kalms, Griffel, O’Leary and Frey closed the dual with a win in the 400 freestyle relay at 3:03.01.

The diving events were held at Air Force on Friday. Reining WAC Diver of the Week senior Derek Campbell led the Cowboys placing third in both the 1 and 3-meter springboard. Campbell tallied a 293.03 in the 3-meter event, followed by a 256.58 in the 1-meter. Freshman Jacob Rehmeier placed fifth in the 1-meter springboard at 229.65 and sixth in the 3-meter event at 190.05, as both are career-best totals.

The divers also participated in the platform dive on Saturday afternoon at Air Force. Campbell placed second in the event with a personal-best score of 276.98. Rehmeier also posted a personal-best tally of 154.13.

On the women’s side, freshman Lauren Puglisi won the platform dive with a personal-best score of 190.13. Sophomore Kari Campbell wrapped up a solid week by posting a career-best in the platform at 187.43. Campbell won the 1-meter springboard on Friday with an impressive 246.00. Senior Amanda Fay took the crown in the 3-meter springboard with a tally of 265.95. Campbell finished second in the event at 258.3.

“We did some great things on the platform and I was proud of how well we did in an event that we haven’t seen this season,” said UW diving coach Yahya Radman.

The Cowboys and Cowgirls return to action next week heading to Chicago, Ill. to take on the University of Illinois- Chicago on Friday night. UW will also hit the pool on Saturday taking on UIC and Northwestern.

Air Force Press Release

Air Force men’s swimming & diving dropped a 179-121 dual meet to Wyoming Saturday afternoon. The diving portion of the meet took place Friday at USAFA’s Cadet Natatorium, with the Falcons winning both diving events.

Air Force (6-3) won four events overall, taking the 100 breast and 1000 free events, in addition to the diving events.

Sophomore Michael Barnosky won the 100 breast with a time of 56.78, while classmate Kevin Jackson won the 1000 free with a time of 9:52.65.

Sophomore Nathaniel Zillweger won the 1-meter diving with an NCAA Zone Regional qualifying score of 303 points. Classmate Dominic Vallejo won the 3-meter diving with a Zone qualifying score of 326.78 points.

Air Force had several second place swims on the day. Junior Ryan Dunne placed second in the 50 free (21.04), 200 free (1:42.64) and 100 fly (51.16). Freshman Devon Davis was second in the 100 back (51.39) as was classmate Kristopher Tillery in the 200 back (1:54.74). Barnosky was second in the 200 breast (2:06.62) and senior Paul Leonhardt was second in the 200 medley (1:58.98).

The Air Force women also dove against Wyoming Friday. Junior Lainie Long led the way for the Falcons, taking second in the 1-meter (243.90) and third in the 3-meter diving (252.30). Sophomore Stephanie Mallard was fourth in the 1m and sophomore Jessica Horn was fifth in the 3m.

The Air Force men return to action at Grand Canyon on Friday, Oct. 8.

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