Wyoming Women, Air Force Men Split in Tight Conference Battle

Wyoming vs. Air Force

• Results
• Hosted by Air Force
• Friday, January 27th
• 25 yards
• Dual meet format

FINAL TEAM SCORES:

Women:

• Wyoming – 163.50
• Air Force – 131.50

Men:

• Air Force – 156.50
• Wyoming – 143.50

Mountain West Conference rivals Wyoming and Air Force split a pair of tightly-contested dual meets on Friday, with the Wyoming women and Air Force men coming away with victories.

Wyoming has been in the news more than usual, with coach Tom Johnson announcing his resignation at the end of the season to enter the business sector.  Johnson’s squad rallied together for the win behind a perfect day from Maria Harutjunjan and a backstroke double from Abby Sullivan.  Harutjunjan cruised to wins in both breaststrokes (1:03.39 and 2:19.68), and also swam the fastest time in the 200 IM (2:09.87, exhibitioned after the Cowgirls had clinched the meet)

Air Force wouldn’t go down without a fight, led by Genevieve Miller‘s three individual wins in the 200 (1:52.02), 500 (5:01.58), and 1000 freestyles (10:23.59).

The men’s meet came down to the final event, but Air Force pulled away over the last half of the 400 free relay for the win.  Senior Jordan Dahle went 4-for-4 on the day, winning the 100 (44.76) and 200 freestyles (1:41.66), anchoring the Falcons’ medley relay, and blowing open the 400 free relay with a 44.49 third leg to help secure the win.  The Falcons also got three wins from sophomore Steffen Mount, including a key victory in 100 fly.  Wyoming swimmers finished 2-3-4 in the event, but Mount had enough in the tank to hold off Wyoming’s Wade Nelson, with a final time of 49.30.  Mount also anchored the Falcons’ winning 400 freestyle relay in 44.98 to close the meet.

Wyoming kept things close with strong diving performances, as well as a pair of individual wins from Gabriel Rooker, who swept the breaststroke events (54.98 and 2:02.55).  Wade Nelson won the 200 IM (1:53.75), and also recorded three second place finishes for the Cowboys.

Press Release – Air Force

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — The Air Force men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams split a dual meet against conference rival Wyoming, Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Academy’s Cadet Natatorium.  The men defeated Wyoming, 156.50-143.50, marking the third straight year the Falcons beat the Cowboys. On the women’s side, Wyoming beat Air Force, 163.50-131.50. The men improved to 5-0 overall this season while the women fell to 2-4.

The men jumped ahead right away by winning the 200 medley relay as the team of Joey Gebhart, Zach Knoche, Steffen Mount and Jordan Dahle swam a time of 1:29.94. Senior Andrew Faciszewski won the 1000 free (9:41.95). Air Force took the top three spots in the 200 free as Dahle was first (1:41.66), Ben Brockman was second (1:41.98) and Michael Hannigan was third (1:43.12). Kris Tillery won the 100 back stroke (50.50). In the men’s 50 free, Lars Knutson won (20.32) and Mount was second (20.34).  The Falcons also took the top three spots in the 100 free as Dahle won (44.76), Hannigan was second (45.39) and Blake Lawrie (45.93).  Mount also won the 100 fly (49.30). The men closed out the meet by winning the 400 free relay as the team of Knutson, Hannigan, Dahle and Mount posted a time of 3:00.13.

Freshman Lydia Knutson set the women’s school record in the 50 free with a time of 23.22. Senior Genevieve Miller continued her dominance in the distance free events, winning the 1000 free (10:23.59), the 200 free ( 1:52.02) and the 500 free (5:01.58). Freshman Elizabeth Rivenbark won the 100 back (58.32). Air Force took the top three sports in the 200 IM as  junior Jinan Andrews won (2:11.07),  freshman Jayden Glover was second (2:11.72) and sophomore Emma Strom (2:15.90).  The  team of Miller, Tianna Jorgenson, Knutson and Andrews won the 400 free relay with a time of 3:31.17.

The men are back in action on Saturday, Nov. 5 as the Falcons will host a dual against Grand Canyon at 1 pm at the Cadet Natatorium. The women are back in action Nov. 4-5 at the Rice Invitational in Houston, Texas.