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BREAKING: WAC Cancels Thursday Finals after Huge Water Main Break in Houston

2020 WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Update: 6:17 Central Time: the WAC will score Thursday’s prelims session as a timed final and resume competition on Friday morning, presuming the University of Houston campus has reopened. Read more about the schedule adjustment here.

Update: 9:42 PM Central Time: the University of Houston will be closed again on Friday, and day 3 of the WAC meet will be held as a timed-finals session on Friday morning. No spectators will be allowed, because bathrooms aren’t working, and portable toilets and wash stations will be brought in for athletes and staff to use.

The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) has cancelled Thursday evening’s finals at the men’s and women’s swimming & diving championships after a massive water main broke near the University of Houston campus on Thursday afternoon.

The break on the 610 East Loop freeway in Houston was reported around 12 p.m. local time leading to the complete closure of the highway in both directions. The city has received reports of low water pressure across a large portion of the city. Houston Public Works has asked the community to conserve water in the area, and mayor Sylvester Turner has asked everyone in the city of Houston to boil their water for the next 24 hours.

The break has led to a number of business closures in the area, including the entire University of Houston campus, all Harris County and Houston Municipal Courts, the University of St. Thomas, and the Houston Zoo.

The University of Houston has no water, and with most restaurants in the area having to close as well, the school has asked food trucks to remain on campus later than usual. Nearby Texas Southern University has closed as well. The break is located less than 5 miles from campus.

After day 1 of the WAC Championships, the Air Force men and Northern Arizona women are in the lead. The UNLV men broke the conference record on Wednesday evening in the 800 free relay by 4 seconds.

Conference officials and coaches are discussing all possible options, with another conference call scheduled for 5PM on Thursday. Among the options being discussed are swimming one session of the meet as timed finals, and moving the entire meet 30 miles north to the Conroe ISD Natatorium: another large natatorium in the suburb of Shenandoah, Texas that has hosted the NCAA Division III Championships, among other major meets, in recent years.

The conference was represented by 2 men’s teams, Grand Canyon and UNLV, at last year’s NCAA Division I National Championship meet.

While the University of Houston is not a member of the WAC, the school’s pool frequently plays host to conference championship meets for a number of mid-major conferences.

 

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MELANIE
4 years ago

No prelim Friday only timed finals and not allowing spectators. Very disappointed in the University of Houston.

Melanie
Reply to  Braden Keith
4 years ago

Braden I was unaware that the pipe was not repaired. Thought water was restored. Thanks for your coverage of what is happening. Have a great day.

leisurely1:29
4 years ago

Hahahahaha the music

Dmswim
4 years ago

Scoring prelims is an awful idea. How many top seeds cruised it when they saw they were winning the heat? Especially in the 500!

Drewbrewsbeer
4 years ago

Holy guacamole!

Horninco
4 years ago

They could do finals tomorrow am and then make fridays stuff timed finals in the evening. Should be an ok adjustment

Random123
4 years ago

my water came back a few hours ago, they should be fine : )

Reply to  Random123
4 years ago

Let’s hope so. It would be awful if swimmers didn’t get to finish out their taper meet.

dude
4 years ago

bummer. sucks for all the swimmers and divers. Hopefully they’ll get to finish their meet out this week.

swimfast
4 years ago

crazy! also, what the heck is up with that insanely dramatic music on the ABC twitter post? ….

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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