Petersen’s Bronze Highlights Utah’s First Day at Pac-12 Championships

Wednesday, February 22

Federal Way, WA

All Day

University of Utah

Pac-12 Championships

Photo by: Chuck Arelei

Petersen’s Bronze Highlights Utah’s First Day at Pac-12 Championships

2/22/2023 9:47 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving

Results

Utes take second in men’s and women’s team diving events

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – Elias Petersen earned the Utes' first medal of the week and it came in the men's 1m as the University of Utah swimming and diving team competed on day one of the Pac-12 Diving and Women's Swimming Championships, which was held on Wednesday at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.

On the Boards
Petersen's path to the podium started in the prelims, where his score of 302.70 earned him fourth place and a spot in the final. In that final, he improved his score to 337.95, allowing him to move up one spot and collect's Utah's first medal of the competition. That mark also surpassed the NCAA Championships qualifying standard. Luke McDivitt finished the 1m in 10th, while Jenner Pennock took 16th and Jake Suchowski placed 20th.

Utah's divers also participated in men's and women's team events and took second in both competitions. On the women's side, the trio of Kathryn Grant, Lizzy DeCecco and Holly Waxman racked up 310.70 points, behind only USC, while the men's team of Luke McDivitt, Jenner Pennock and Petersen finished with a score of 324.10 points, a total that put them ahead of the Trojans and Arizona State.

"We had an excellent start to the meet as Elias put forth a gutsy effort to earn bronze on 1m," said diving coach Richard Marschner. "The field is very deep as the conference is the strongest it's been in years, so to come out of it with a podium finish is very impressive. We also had great performances in the team events and placed 2nd with both the men and women. It was a really exciting event for the team and it was a great way for the divers to be more involved in the meet."

In the Pool
For Utah's swimmers, the meet's first day consisted of the 200 medley relay and the 800 free relay. The Utes' fastest time in the former event came from the quartet of Norah Hay, Alyssa Sorensen, Kate Leary and Erin Palmer, who finished in 1:41.84. In the 800, Kim Lanaghen, Lily Milner, Cameron Daniell and Molly Jacobson reached the finish in 7:19.65.

"The first night of the meet is always really exciting," said associate head coach Michele Lowry. "We got a little too excited and unfortunately had a false start on the first relay. However, the ladies in the 800 free relay did an incredible job and reset the tone for the night. We are so proud of how well our girls handled the intensity this evening and are ready and pumped for tomorrow."
Looking Ahead
Six event finals are scheduled for Thursday and on that list are the women's 1m and men's 3m, as well as the women's 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free and 200 free relay.

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