BYU finishes strong against Utah in relay meet

Relay Meet Results

A non-scored friendly relay meet against rival Utah on Saturday at the Ute Natatorium in Salt Lake City continued a strong showing by BYU's swim and dive team.

“The meet was a lot of fun for everyone,” BYU head coach John Brooks said. “We had a really good turnout in terms of fans. I’m proud that we were able to get out there and race and be competitive. I’m glad we had a fun time and also honor the divers as well.”

Jake Taylor, Stephen Richards, Alexandria Sorensen and freshman standout Ellie Thornbrue lead the BYU swimmers a continued the team's streak of preseason excellence.

Taylor led the men’s 150 yard backstroke relay team, which also included Payton Sorenson and Preston Jenkins, to a 1:08.12 finish, good enough for first place in the event. The same team of Taylor, Sorenson and Jenkins, along with freshman Connor Stirling, took the men’s 400 freestyle relay, with a finishing time of 3:04.96.

Alexandria Sorensen, Brenna Dickson, Vanessa Moffatt and Thornbrue finished first in the women’s 500 free ladder relay, posting a time of 4:34.77.

In the 4x100 relay, Richards, Taylor, Rainer Ng and Luis Ventura posted a 3:26.28 finish, good enough for a win in the event.

Sorensen, Stirling, Alora Foliaki and Kent Fellows also helped BYU with a win in the mixed 200 free relay, with a 1:29.86 finish.

The divers were also able to start the season in excellent fashion, competing in synchronization events, executing difficult dives and finishing in a fun mixed 200 free relay. Matt Denkers, Trayton Speth, Shelby Johnson and Kaela Call led the team in a strong showing for the Cougars.

“The divers did really well, and they performed almost perfectly in terms of synchronization,” BYU head diving coach Tyce Routson said. “I was proud that they threw some harder dives for the synchronization meet. That just really helps us build for the rest of the season.”

BYU will compete in its annual Alumni meet this Friday, which will see the return of some former Cougar standouts. The meet will take place at 3 p.m. MDT at the Richard Building Pool and is open to all Cougar fans.