Upcoming Event: Men's Swimming & Diving at Big Al Invitational on December 4, 2025 at All Day
All Day
Men's Swimming & Diving
at Big Al Invitational
The University of Utah Athletics
Saturday, October 21
Long Beach, CA
University of Utah
vs
MPSF Open Water Swimming Championships
Photo by: Jake Johanson
First-Ever MPSF Open Water Championships Up Next for Swim & Dive
10/20/2023 10:37 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
Utes traveling to California for five-event meet
SALT LAKE CITY – The first month of the 2023-24 season has already yielded seven combined victories for the University of Utah swimming and diving team and Utah's swimmers will have an opportunity to continue honing their form on Saturday, when they'll be in Long Beach, Calif., the site of the MPSF Open Water Swimming Championships, which will be held at Marine Stadium.
"The race on Saturday is all about showing the NCAA that open water should be a competitive event," said associate head coach Michele Lowry. "The MPSF has graciously agreed to host the first-ever championships and we could not be more excited to attend. We have tremendous depth and experience with open water here at Utah and my expectation for the athletes is to race a hard fought, smart race. I think we have a good chance of taking some podium spots and showing that a school in a landlocked state is fully capable of competing in open water at a high level."
In the Pool
Lowry and head coach Jonas Persson have already seen their squad get off the season off to a strong start and that is partly thanks to a list of student-athletes that includes senior Jaek Horner and sophomore Evan VanBrocklin. Horner's start to the year included a three-win performance at the CMU Intermountain Shootout and he also took part in four races during the team's Oct. 7 triumph over LSU.
VanBrocklin's efforts against the Tigers included victories in the 200 fly, the 100 free and the 200 individual medley, the latter of which represented the final win of the day for the Utah men. The list of Utah victors at the expense of LSU also included Jakub Walter in the 200 free and Ethan Smith in the 100 fly.
On the women's side, the Utah's efforts against LSU allowed them to come out on top, 157-132. One fo the key contributors was Summer Stanfield, whose senior year has gotten off to a red-hot start, beginning with two individual first place finishes in Colorado. She also played a role on two victorious relay teams at the season-opening meet, then took the top spot in the 200 back and 200 IM to help the Utes top LSU.
Norah Hay, Claire Dafoe and Erin Palmer have also taken advantage of their early season opportunities, combining for six individual wins and playing a role on five relay quartets that ended up in first place. Palmer swam on three triumphant relay teams at the CMU Shootout, while also capturing first-place in the 100 breast, a feat she repeated when the Tigers came to town. Hay logged two wins during Utah's time in the Centennial State and Dafoe's performance against LSU included first-place showings in the 1000 and 500 free.
These Utes will take part in a list of events that includes men's and women's 5K's, a mixed 4x500 relay and a masters' open 1k and 5k. These championships are the first in the history of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and are taking place at a venue that will be used in the 2028 Olympic Games.
Looking Ahead
The Utes next opportunity to compete will be back at home on Oct. 27, when they'll welcome the Arizona Wildcats to the Ute Natatorium.
Follow the Utes!
For fans of the Utah men's/women's swimming and diving programs, follow the Utes on Twitter (@UTAHswimdive), Instagram (@utahswimdive) and Facebook (@UtahUtesSwimDive).
"The race on Saturday is all about showing the NCAA that open water should be a competitive event," said associate head coach Michele Lowry. "The MPSF has graciously agreed to host the first-ever championships and we could not be more excited to attend. We have tremendous depth and experience with open water here at Utah and my expectation for the athletes is to race a hard fought, smart race. I think we have a good chance of taking some podium spots and showing that a school in a landlocked state is fully capable of competing in open water at a high level."
In the Pool
Lowry and head coach Jonas Persson have already seen their squad get off the season off to a strong start and that is partly thanks to a list of student-athletes that includes senior Jaek Horner and sophomore Evan VanBrocklin. Horner's start to the year included a three-win performance at the CMU Intermountain Shootout and he also took part in four races during the team's Oct. 7 triumph over LSU.
VanBrocklin's efforts against the Tigers included victories in the 200 fly, the 100 free and the 200 individual medley, the latter of which represented the final win of the day for the Utah men. The list of Utah victors at the expense of LSU also included Jakub Walter in the 200 free and Ethan Smith in the 100 fly.
On the women's side, the Utah's efforts against LSU allowed them to come out on top, 157-132. One fo the key contributors was Summer Stanfield, whose senior year has gotten off to a red-hot start, beginning with two individual first place finishes in Colorado. She also played a role on two victorious relay teams at the season-opening meet, then took the top spot in the 200 back and 200 IM to help the Utes top LSU.
Norah Hay, Claire Dafoe and Erin Palmer have also taken advantage of their early season opportunities, combining for six individual wins and playing a role on five relay quartets that ended up in first place. Palmer swam on three triumphant relay teams at the CMU Shootout, while also capturing first-place in the 100 breast, a feat she repeated when the Tigers came to town. Hay logged two wins during Utah's time in the Centennial State and Dafoe's performance against LSU included first-place showings in the 1000 and 500 free.
These Utes will take part in a list of events that includes men's and women's 5K's, a mixed 4x500 relay and a masters' open 1k and 5k. These championships are the first in the history of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and are taking place at a venue that will be used in the 2028 Olympic Games.
Looking Ahead
The Utes next opportunity to compete will be back at home on Oct. 27, when they'll welcome the Arizona Wildcats to the Ute Natatorium.
Follow the Utes!
For fans of the Utah men's/women's swimming and diving programs, follow the Utes on Twitter (@UTAHswimdive), Instagram (@utahswimdive) and Facebook (@UtahUtesSwimDive).
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Back/Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Breast/IM
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Sprint Free/Breast
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
IM/Freestyle
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free/Fly/IM
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
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