Women Take Lead at MWC Championships

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Two-time defending BYU women's swimming and diving team took the lead at the MWC Championships at Oklahoma City, OK. with 419 points, Friday. The women have moved up one position each day at the competition after starting out in third after day one. The men's team has held first place since the first day and now have 633.5 points. The Cougars are over 100 points ahead of second place UNLV and look for their third consecutive conference championship. Only one day remains for both teams to hold on to their leads.

Jeff Mason came in second place in the 200 freestyle and has provisionally qualified for the NCAAs. Christopher Johnson finished second in the 100 backstroke with a time of 49.69. Teammates Gary Tan and John Malfatt finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Sophomore Jamie Lambert won the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:02.74. This marks the first win of the season for Lambert, who has really come on strong late in the season. Teammate Tamber Covington, who qualified for the NCAAs last season as a freshman, came in third.

Freshman Nichole Burrows finished third in the 100 back with a time of 56.17. Teammate Ashlee Rumfallow finished fifth in the event.

The 400 medley relay team of Burrows, Lambert, Heidi Leitz, and Rumfallow swam to victory with a time of 3:45.61. The men's 400 medley relay team composed of Johnson, Adam Ware, Tan, and Mason finished second behind Air Force with a time of 3:20.30.

The MWC Swimming and Diving Championships conclude Saturday, Mar. 2 following the 6 p.m. finals events and the announcement of the individual and team awards.