The Air Force men’s swimming and diving team will travel to Houston, Texas, for the 2017 Western Athletic Conference Championships, Wednesday–Saturday, Feb. 22-25, at the CRWC Natatorium. The Falcons will look to defend their 2016 WAC title, the first conference championship in the history of Falcon men’s swimming.
Air Force was chosen as the preseason favorite to win the WAC title in the pre-championship coaches’ poll. The Falcons received 35 points, including five first-place votes. Wyoming was second with 32 points and two first-place votes.
The Falcon relay teams all rank in the top two in the conference. The 200 free, 800 free and 400 medley relay teams have all posted the fastest times in the league this season. The 400 free and 200 medley relay teams have the second fastest times.
Several individuals rank among the best in the conference as well. Sophomore Steffen Mount ranks fourth in the WAC in the 50 free (19.97) and second in the 100 free (43.37). Both times broke the Academy records this season. Mount also ranks second in the 100 fly (47.72), the third fastest time in school history.
Senior Jordan Dahle, who earned all-conference honors last season, ranks third in the league in the 200 free (1:37.50).
Senior Andrew Faciszewski, who won the WAC title in the 1650 free last season, has the fastest times in the WAC in the 500 free (4:25.28) and the 1650 free (15:13.16). Faciszewski also ranked third in the league in the 400 IM (3:52.58).
Freshman Ben Brockman has the fourth fastest time in the 500 free (4:27.83) while junior Garrett Glaudini has the fourth fastest time in the 1650 free (15:38.40).
Air Force has four of the top six times in the 100 back stroke as freshman Cole McAnany is third (48.34), junior Joey Gebhart is fourth (48.63), senior Devon Davis is fifth (48.91) and senior Kris Tillery is sixth (49.35). Tillery also ranks fourth in the 200 back at 1:47.43.
Senior Kevin Fanter has the WAC’s fastest time in the 200 breast stroke (1:56.85). Senior Zach Knoche ranks third (1:59.10) and freshman Zach Nelson is fifth (2:00.38). Knoche has the third fastest time in the WAC in the 100 breast stroke (54.41) and Fanter is fifth (54.53).
In the 200 IM, Fanter is fourth in the conference (1:49.45) while junior Derek Brecht is fifth (1:49.82). In the 400 IM, Faciszewski is third (3:52.58) while Glaudini is fourth at (3:55.19).
For more information, please visit the WAC Swimming Championship Central
News courtesy of Air Force Athletics.