Utah Swimming & Diving Head South to UNLV

1/26/2011 12:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving

Jan. 26, 2011

THIS WEEK

The University of Utah swimming and diving team is scheduled to compete in a Mountain West Conference dual meet against the UNLV Rebels at the Buchanan Natatorium Saturday at 2 p.m. PT in Las Vegas.

LAST WEEK

The Utes had back-to-back meets against Wyoming and Air Force last Friday and Saturday. The Ute women defeated the Cowgirls for the first time since head coach Greg Winslow became head coach (160 to 140) then overcame the Falcons (155 to 120). The Ute men put together a few strong performances but still fell short to Wyoming and Air Force (179 to 121, 152 to 142).

The women won 10 of the 12 events against Wyoming and 10 of the 15 against Air Force. Both Natalie Edge and Hannah Caron swept nearly all of their events. Samantha Zuch and Chardonnay Biter-Mundt also touched in winning races over the weekend in the distance and sprint free events, respectively. On the boards, Ellis Walters topped the 1-meter dive against Wyoming (267.83). She also beat the Falcons in both the 1 and 3-meter dives (270.90 and 286.65, respectively).

Traycie Swartz broke the all-time school record in the 100 back by almost a second against Wyoming (55.68). The winning 200 medley relay group of Swartz, Samantha Zuch, Caron and Edge posted a time only a few tenths of a second short of the all-time school record (1:42.78).

The Ute men won four events against Wyoming and six against Air Force. Karson Applin, Eric Bonicelli, and Bjorn Gunnarsson led the team touching winning times against Wyoming in the 100 fly (51.13), the 1000 free (9:45.55), and the 100 free (46.68), respectively. Applin and Gunnarsson were also on the winning 400 free relay alongside Brent Murray and Garret Beaman.

Murray led the Ute men against Air Force, posting wins in the 50 free (21.45), the 200 back (1:52.73), and started the winning 400 free relay with Gunnarsson, Andy Lamb, and Beaman (3:06.32). Nelson Foo also swept the 1 and 3-meter dives against the Falcons (280.50 and 302.48).

QUOTING HEAD COACH Greg Winslow

"On the men's side, UNLV has one of the best teams in the country and the best team in the conference. It's going to be a really good opportunity for our men to fine-tune some things and get ready for conference as far as an overall team score. That's not what we're focused on at this point. It's more like one last chance to get races perfect before we head into the conference meet.

"The women's side will be really competitive. Their coaching staff is fantastic. We're just going to have to swim like we did Friday night and Saturday. If we can continue doing what we are doing, it should be a fun meet.

"We're trying to get conference finalized and get the kids ready. They are already looking forward to it. Five weeks away from today is when we will leave. It will be busy and fun."

LAST MEETING

The Utes last swam against UNLV in October of 2009 at Ute Natatorium. The Ute women pulled ahead of the Rebels in the final relay event after back and forth wins, ending the meet with a score of 149.5 to 148.5. Although the Utah men's team pulled off a few impressive performances despite a rocky start, they were defeated by UNLV by a score of 170 to 124.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

The UNLV men's swimming team, the six-time conference champions, was listed as No. 16 in country with an 8-1 record. They are expected to claim the league title again this season. So far in the season, they have recorded only one loss against the ninth-ranked USC team.

The UNLV men include Cody Roberts, who is ranked 11th in the 100 fly in the nation. Kier Maitland, who finished in 21st at the 2010 NCAA Championships, holds the sixth fastest time in the nation in the 1650, and the 16th-fastest in the 500 free. John Mendoza is also strong in the distance freestyle, while Kyle Virva and Steven Nelms lead UNLV in sprints. In the breast events, David Seiler and Andrew Morrell will present a challenge for the Utes. Morrell, Nelms, Roberts, and Seiler have also competed at the NCAA's and posted a UNLV school-record time in the 200 medley relay together.

Lisa Gillespie is said to lead the Rebel women, as she was a top 10 finisher in at the 2010 MWC Championships in the 200 IM, the 200 free, and the 200 back. Jessica Heim is currently ranked second in the 1000 free, 200 fly, and third in the 500 free in the conference. Other strong competitors include Rachel Dixon (free/back), Anja Crawford (back), Orsolya Tompa (fly), and Lara Sreibers and Megan Clark (free).

-UU-