The men's and women's swimming and diving teams showed that higher altitude was not an obstacle as both teams handily beat Air Force, Thursday. The men's team won 12 of 13 events to win 144-94. The win improves the men to 5-1 in dual meet action. The women's team won 11 of 13 events for a final of 151-91. The women have won three straight dual meets to improve to 6-3 on the year.
Junior Jeff Mason won the 100 and 200 free with times of 45.83 and 1:42.26. Mason was also on the winning 400 free relay squad with Billy Betz, Nick Parker, and Michael Mullen that swam a 3:02.56, their best times since the Speedo Cup.
Gary Tan from Singapore won the 200 IM and 200 back posting times of 1:50.67 and 1:52.13. Tan was also victorious with the 400 medley relay team with teammates Christopher Johnson, Adam Ware and Betz that swam a 3:21.63.
John Malfatt won the 200 fly with a time of 1:56.81. Michael Mullen won the 500 free at 4:45.19. Ware, a sophomore, won the 200 breast with a time of 2:07.57. Freshman Nick Parker won his first collegiate event in the 50 free swimming a 21.11.
""We were not intimidated by the higher altitude," said men's head swim coach Tim Powers. "We swam some of our better times and I believe our rest and experience from our Hawaii trip was one of the best things we have done for a long while."
For the women, the 400 medley relay team won the first event for the evening as the teams never looked back. The squad composed of senior Tina Adkinson, Tamber Covington, Lyndi Juvan, and Ashlee Rumfallow swam an astounding 3:57.21.
Junior Amanda Grant won the 200 free and 200 breast posting times of 1:57.76 and 2:25.35. Heidi Leitz swam to victory in the 50 free with a time of 24.40. Leitz was also on the winning 400 free relay squad with teammates Monica Ferrell, Nichole Burrows, and Ashlee Rumfallow.
All-American Cortnee Adams won the 100 free and 200 IM swimming times of 52.51 and 2:10.03. Ferrell, a sophomore, won the 200 fly with a time of 2:11.31. Freshman Nicole Burrows won the 200 back with a time of 2:09.07.
"We had some good swims," said women's head coach Stan Crump. "I was pleased with the way we swam tonight."
Both diving teams fared well as junior Justin Wilcock won the 1-meter event with a score of 345.75. Aaron Russell won the 3-meter event with a score of 287.55. Kelli Einfeldt won the 1-meter and 3-meter events over MWC Diver of the Week Sarah Law of Air Force with scores of 253.35 and 276.53, respectively.
The Cougars will rest for a day before traveling to Laramie to face conference foe Wyoming on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
The BYU men's and women's swimming and diving teams will travel to Air Force to face the Falcons this Thursday night at 6:00 p.m.. They will then compete at conference foe Wyoming on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. The men's team is currently 4-1 in dual meet action after not competing last week. The women are 5-3 after two conference wins last weekend.
Last season the men defeat Air Force 140-99 at home. The men also defeated the Cowboys 139-98 at home. Traveling on the road should make for tougher competition.
"We have two very tough meets this weekend," said men's head swim coach Tim Powers. "Not only will the with higher altitude affect us, but Air Force coach Rob Clayton was my assistant for six years and a victory would mean so much to him."
The women's swim team defeated the Falcons 139-102 last season at home. They also defeated Wyoming 141-86 at home.
"Swimming at 7,000 feet will make a difference because both competitors showcase nice swimmers," said women's head swim coach Stan Crump. "We will have to swim real well with no lapses or otherwise we'll get beat."
The next home meet for the Cougars will be February 8 against in-state rival Utah. The time of the meet was changed from 6 p.m. to 2 p.m. due to the Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics in Salt Lake City.
