Great Hearts Monte Vista swims to state titles at 4A and under state championships

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (February 16, 2024)  San Antonio Great Hearts Monte Vista showcased their swimming prowess at the UIL Class 4A and under Swimming & Diving State Championships, dominating the competition and leaving a trail of broken records in their wake. Led by standout performances from Averie Hager, Sawyer Stolarczyk, and Jaylee Hager, the Lions secured both the boys' and girls' team titles in impressive fashion.

Sophomore sensation Averie Hager stole the spotlight by setting a new 4A record in the girls 100-yard butterfly with a blistering time of 55.25, highlighting her exceptional talent in the pool. Not to be outdone, Sawyer Stolarczyk, also a sophomore, clinched four gold medals, including breaking meet records in the 200-yard and 100-yard freestyle races. Stolarczyk's electrifying performance in the anchor leg of the 400-yard freestyle relay secured the boys' team title for Great Hearts Monte Vista.

Meanwhile, Jaylee Hager, another sophomore standout, showcased her versatility by winning gold in the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke, setting meet records in both events. The Hager twins' contributions were instrumental in the Lions' success, as they dominated the competition across various events and relays.

In addition to their individual achievements, both the boys' and girls' teams demonstrated remarkable teamwork by sweeping the relay events. The girls set an impressive seven meet records, while the boys broke three state records, solidifying their dominance in the pool.

With stellar performances from Averie Hager, Sawyer Stolarczyk, Jaylee Hager, and the rest of the Great Hearts Monte Vista team, the Lions have firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in Texas high school swimming. Their record-breaking achievements at the state championships serve as a testament to their talent, hard work, and unwavering determination in the pool.

The final results from the meet can be viewed here.

Photos from the meet, by TexSport Publications senior photographer Darla Tamulitis can be viewed here.

The Woodlands High School girls win 2023 6A swimming and diving state title

Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 18, 2023) San Antonio Johnson's Jada Scott and Mansfield's Elise Clift both claimed double gold with The Woodlands High School (shown above) claiming the overall team title at the 2023 UIL 6A Girls State Swimming and Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center on Saturday.

Scott won the 50-yard freestyle with the time of :22.42. She followed that up about two hours later with a victory in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.59). The senior announced this past May that she will attend the University of Alabama and swim for the Crimson Tide in 2023. Clift, who is a junior, took top honors in the 200-yard freestyle (1:47.44) and the 500-yard freestyle (4:46.23). 

The Woodlands, who won just a single relay, claimed the team title with 300 points over second place Southlake Carroll (284) and third place Mansfield (163). The team champions based their team title on placing many swimmers in the finals to score vital points in route to the title. 

In fact, the Highlanders picked up 58 of their points in the 500-yard freestyle placing four girls in the championships finals and placing second, third, fifth, and eighth in the event. Their single victory in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:33.67), garnering 40 points. They also picked up 66 points with a second place finish in the 200-yard medley relays and third in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Southlake Carroll won the 200-yard medley relay (1:42.84) and the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:25.80) to lead them to their second place finish.

In the other individual events, three senior finished out their high school careers with state titles. Hannah O'Leary (Round Rock) won the 200-yard individual medley (2:00.52), with Vista Ridge's Paula Warren taking the gold in the 100-yard backstroke (:55.24). College Park's Chloe Sharpe topped the field in winning the 1-meter springboard diving event (335.05 pts).

Two sophomores made their way to the top of the medal stand; Marin Clem (Southlake Carroll) in the 100-yard freestyle (:49.07) and San Antonio Reagan's Montserrat Spielman in the 100-yard butterfly (:53.42).

Top seeds advanced in UIL 6A girls state swimming and diving championships

Story and Photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February17, 2023) Southlake Carroll High School garnered the top seeds in all three relays and Mansfield High School gained top seeds in four individual events in the prelim session of the 2023 UIL 6A Girls Swimming and Diving Championships in Austin.

The fans in attendance saw the Dragons finish first in the 200-yard medley relay (1:42.84), 200-yard freestyle relay (1:25.67) and the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:25.73) to set them up as the top seed in all three events for Saturday's finals.

Mansfield earned to seed in the finals with junior Elise Clift in the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.10) and the 500-yard freestyle (4:49.33). They also had top qualifiers in the 200-yard individual medley when Gracie Walker posted the time of 2:00.45. She was join by Katie Walker in the 100-yard butterfly (:54.04).

Fort Bend Clements junior Kayla Fu was tops in the 100-yard freestyle (:49.84) awhile Cedar Park Vista Ridge was the top qualifier in the 100-yard backstroke (:55.24).

Diving Chloe Sharpe  12  Conroe Woodlands College Park 355.05, Senior Jada Scott of San Antonio Johnson finished first in the 50-yard freestyle (:22.51) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:01.41).

The finals of the 6A division will kickoff on Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

Record falls in prelims of UIL 6A swimming and diving championships in Austin

Story and photo by  Robert H Kelly    
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 17, 2023) Fort Bend Clements senior Logan Brown swam his way to a new state record at the UIL 6A State Swimming and Diving Championships on Friday afternoon. In the third heat of the boys 100-yard breaststroke, Brown blasted past the competition; posting the time of  53.03 seconds, earning him the top seed in Saturday's finals at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center.

The previous 6A and overall state record of :53.39 was established by Brown at the 2022 state meet, and lasted for 364 days. He also captured the top seed for the finals in the 200-yard individual medley with the time of 1:45.09.

Also gaining the top seed in two events for the finals was Keller High School's Cooper Lucas. The junior qualified first in the 200-yard freestyle  (1:36.76) and 500-yard freestyle (4:24.53). Keller also earned the top seed in all three relays; 200-yard medley relay (1:30.75), 200-yard freestyle relay  (1:22.28), and 400-yard freestyle relay (3:00.33).

Seniors Hayden Bellotti (Fort Bend Clements), Sonny Wong (Round Rock Westwood) and Logan Pack (Katy Taylor) all qualified first in the 50-yard freestyle (:19.95), 100-yard freestyle (:43.52), and 100-yard backstroke (:48.23), respectively,

Junior Jacob Wimberly (Prosper) earned the top seed in the 100-yard butterfly (:46.99) with Prosper Rock Hill's Luke Sitz leading all divers with the score of 412.65 after the semi-finals.

The 6A finals will kickoff at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Lubbock three-peets in winning girls UIL 5A state title.

Photo by
Darla S.Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

By Robert Kelly
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 19, 2022) The Lubbock Westerners girls swimming and diving team successfully defended their UIL swimming and diving 5A title in winning the 2022 state championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin.

Not only did the Westerners defend their stated title, they made it a three-peet in winning the 2020 championships, winning by the score of 163 points over second place Prosper Rock Hill (144.5 points).

Almost half of Lubbock's points came from the relays. In winning in 200-yard medley relay with the time of 1:46.80, the Westerners tallied 40 points, along with 34 points for taking the silver medal in the 400-yard freestyle relay.  The foursome of Ellis Fox (back), Emma Brady (breast), Scatlett McCloud (fly), and Amrita Ramesh (free). combined to take the top honors in the medley relay. In the free relay, Kennedi Classen, who swam the second leg, combined with Fox, McCloud, and Brady, who filled the first, third, and anchor legs, respectively.

In the individual events, Fox led the charged, ascending the medal platform twice, taking the silver medal in both the 100-yard butterfly (:54.61) and the 100-yard backstroke (:55.18).

Brady also earned a trip to the medal stand with her silver medal performance in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:03.52). The senior also placed seventh in the 200-yard individual medley.

In one-meter diving competition, senior Alyssa Britt (shown above) place fifth with the score of 403.15 points. In addition, McCloud added to Lubbock’s point total with a ninth place finished in the 200-yard freestyle (1:55.29) and 14^th in the 500-yard freestyle (5:16.49).

Second place finisher Prosper Rock Hill had Jenna Kerkman earn medals in the 50-yard freestyle (third) along with Kiara Xanthos; third in the 100-yard breaststroke. Their relays all scored in the top eight, with the 200-yard medley relay placing fourth, 200-yard freestyle relay finishing sixth, and the 400-yard freestyle taking fifth.

Rounding out the team scoring in the 5A girls division was Friendswood in third place with 138 points, followed by Boerne Champion (121), Lamar Fulshear (118), and Magnolia (108).

UIL Updates due to Winter Weather Complications

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 19, 2021) The University Interscholastic League (UIL) has released updated basketball playoff information to account for the interruptions created by the severe weather. Complete information can be found on the UIL website. This information includes:

• Girls State Championship games will be played March 10th-11th at the Alamodome;
• Playoff round certification deadlines have been adjusted to allow all playoff games to be played;
• Schools who have experienced delays in playoff rounds may be required to complete three rounds in a one-week period.

Additionally, due to power outages and water shortages in San Antonio, the UIL Girls State Swimming and Diving Championships have been rescheduled to Monday and Tuesday, March 1st-2nd. Tickets purchased for the girls meet will be valid for the new dates.

The UIL Boys State Swimming and Diving Championships continue to be scheduled for Friday and Saturday, February 26th-27th.

Former Pasadena-area high school swimmers competed in first college meet of 2021

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (January 15, 2021) Three swimmers who competed for Pasadena, Texas area schools during their prep careers kicked of the 2020-2021 college season with a series of dual meets at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Melanie Jimenez (Pasadena Memorial HS, Class of 2020) and Christopher Brown (First Baptist Christian Academy, Class of 2020) are competing for McMurry University (Abilene, Texas) , with Michael Vargas (Sam Rayburn HS, Class of 2019) is competing for the University of the Ozarks Eagles, located in Clarksville, Arkansas.

In the first day of the two-day competition, the McMurry War Hawks were competing against Austin College while the Ozark Eagles faced Colorado College. In the McMurry vs. Austin meet, the War Hawks downed the Kangaroos in the men's division 138-38. In the women's division, Austin topped McMurry, 103-72. In the Ozark vs. Colorado matchup, the Tigers down the Eagles, 178-44

Photo courtesy of
McMurry Athletics
Media Relations Department

Jimenez (shown left) competed in two individual and two relay events. Her first individual event of the meet was the 50-yard freestyle, where she placed second with the time :28.33. In the 100-yard freestyle, she placed third (1:02.68) in a race that saw a mere 63-hundreths of a second between the top-three places. The War Hawks 200-yard medley relay saw the former Maverick regional qualifier swim the freestyle leg, anchoring the relay to a second place finish. The 400-yard freestyle relay was contested as an "exhibition" swim, due to entry limitation. Jimenez swam the leadoff leg with the time of 1:04.74  in route to a final time of 4:27.81.

Photo courtesy of
McMurry Athletics
Media Relations Department

On the men's side of the War Hawks-Kangaroo contest, Brown (shown right) competed the 1000-yard freestyle, where he posted the time of 14:13.48, good enough for a third-place finish. In the 100-yard backstroke, he took fourth place, with the time of 1:19.48. The final event for the freshman was the 100-yard backstroke, where clocked the time of 1:16.08 in an exhibition swim. 

Photo courtesy of
University of the Ozarks
Sports Information
Department

Vargas (shown left) competed in two swimming and one diving event in the Eagles' contest against the Colorado, The sophomore  placed fourth in the 200-yard freestyle (2:29.84) and fifth in the 100-yard backstroke (1:11.51). In one-meter diving, he took third place (103.95 points).

All three swimmers will meet on Saturday, when McMurry and Ozarks face off in the final competition of the weekend.  

UIL changes location of 2021 state swimming meet

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 11, 2021) The University Interscholastic League (UIL) has announced changes to the 2021 state swimming and diving championships. See the information below for final details.

No. 25 SMU Mustangs defeat Incarnate Word, 196-104

Photo courtesy of 
SMU Public Relations

DALLAS, TEXAS (January 9, 2021) The No. 25  SMU men's swimming and diving team went on the road Saturday and picked up a 196-104 win at UIW.

Connor Dalbo (shown right) led the Mustangs with three wins, as SMU came home with victories in 12 of 16 events. Petar Bozhilov and Daniel Forndal each added a pair of wins.

Dalbo's first win of the afternoon came in the 100-yard breaststroke, where he and Caleb Rhodenbaugh posted a 1-2 finish for the Mustangs. Dalbo finished in 55.10 with Rhodenbaugh coming in at 56.30. Dalbo completed the breaststroke sweep, posting a 2:01.29 in the 200 for the win. Brayden Rudd was third with a time of 2:06.06.

Dalbo also won the 200-yard individual medley, registering a time of 1:50.39. He was just ahead of Colin Feehery, who finished second at 1:51.58.

Bozhilov won the 1,000-yard freestyle and became the eighth fastest performer all-time at SMU with his time of 9:12.77. He finished nearly 10 seconds ahead of the field with Jack Callan turning in runner-up honors in a time of 9:22.25.

Bozhilov also won the 500 free, touching in 4:31.67, and Callan was third (4:35.04).

Forndal won the 100- and 200-yard freestyles, leading a sweep of the top four in the 200. He covered the distance in the 200 in 1:39.53 and led Tyler Mansheim (1:41.31) and Wyatt Cronk (1:41.59) in the top three. Forndal clocked a 44.87 in the 100, and was joined by Charlie Kaye (3rd, 45.90) in the top three.

In the 50-yard freestyle, Lance Butler (20.87) came away with the win, while Kaye (21.16) was third.

In diving action, the Mustangs swept the boards, getting wins from Parker Hardigree (1 meter) and Dominic Hoefer (3 meter).

Hardigree's win on 1 meter featured an NCAA Zone qualifying and season-best score of 336.45, while Hoefer (2nd, 317.55) and Peter Smithson (3rd, 317.10) rounded out the sweep with Zone scores.

SMU took the top five spots on 3 meter, led by Hoefer's 359.48 NCAA score. Smithson (354.68) was second with a Zone score of his own, and Hardigree, Tyler Coffey and Dominic Carollo finished in order.

The Mustangs swept relays, winning the opening 200-yard medley relay in a time of 1:31.53. Riley Hill, Rhodenbaugh, Jack Easton and Forndal teamed up for the victory. The 400-yard freestyle relay saw Butler, Forndal, Kaye and Feehery win in a time of 3:02.24.

The Mustangs are back in action Friday when they host No. 4 Texas A&M for Senior Day. The meet is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, PASADENA MEMORIAL SWIMMERS ARE IN THE REGION FINALS

Photo by
Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

PEARLAND, TEXAS (February 1, 2019) The Pasadena Memorial High School Swimming and  Diving Team have qualified, as a result of the preliminary performances on Friday, and advanced to the UIL Region 6-6A Finals on Saturday, February 2. The finals will be held at Pearland Natatorium, in Pearland, Texas, and will begin at 10:15 a.m. CST.

The squad of Melanie Jimenez, Kimberly Dutton, Rachel Del Angel, Abigail Lezcano, and Daniela Fraga (alternate) combined to advance to finals in both the 200-yard medley relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Del Angel also qualified for finals in the 50-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle.

Dutton and Fraga advanced to the semi-finals in 1-meter diving, which was contested on Thursday.

The top two finishers in the finals advance to the UIL State Championships in two weeks in Austin.

Houston Selected to CSCAA Scholar All-America Team

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 22, 2019) The University of Houston Swimming & Diving team succeeded in an out of the pool during the fall semester, earning College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America Scholar All-America team honors for the seventh straight semester.

After combining for a 3.38 team fall semester grade-point average, including five 4.0’s (Rebecca Brandt, Peyton Kondis, Rachel Hicks, Jenny Penneck, Victoria Tillman) the Cougars are one of 476 institutions across all divisions to earn the distinction.

The honor is awarded to teams with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and on average 23 of the 25 top-finishers at the NCAA Championships earn the award. All of the women’s teams in The American were recognized for their academic achievement.

Castillo, Nations take MVP honors at Pasadena Harvest Classic Meet

Photo by Darla Tamulits, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (September 29, 2017) Pasadena Memorial High School’s Marco Castillo and Tomball High School’s Delaney Nations were selected as the Outstanding Competitors of the Meet at the Pasadena Harvest Classic Swimming and Diving Invitational. The award was determined by a vote of the coaches and officials at the meet. The competition was held on Friday, September 29, 2017 and saw teams from as far away as the Lufkin, Texas area battling for supremacy in the crystal waters of Shippey Aquatic Center in Pasadena, Texas. 

Castillo competed in five individual events; bringing home three gold and one silver medals, and with leading the Mavericks to three bronze medals in relay events. The senior, who competed in both swimming and diving, won gold medals in the 50-yard freestyle, 50-yard breaststroke, and one-meter springboard diving, along with a silver medal in the 100-yard individual medley. In addition, he was an integral part of Pasadena Memorial’s success in the mixed 200-yard medley relay, 200-yard freestyle relay, and 400-yard freestyle relay. Castillo is coached in swimming by Robert Kelly and in diving by Darla Kelly. The Kelly's are long-time coaches in the Pasadena Independent School District.

Nations scored three silver medals in the 100-yard individual medley, and as a member of Tomball’s 200-yard medley relay, and 400-yard freestyle relay. In addition, she placed fourth in the 50-yard butterfly and swam the anchor leg of their fifth place 200-yard freestyle relay. She is coached by Brian Vestal.

In the team standing, Tomball took the title followed closely in the second place by Pasadena Memorial. Sam Rayburn High School place third with Pasadena High School in fourth and Huntington High School in fifth.

Daley takes gold in 10m Platform at World Championships

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (July 22, 2017) Great Britain's Tom Daley shocked the crowd at the Danube Arena in Budapest in winning the 10-meter platform final at the FINA 17th World Championships on Saturday. The 23-year-old took the gold emdal with the score of 590.95 points, knocking off 2016 Olympic Champion Chen Aisen of China, who plced second with the score of 585.25 points.

Daley, who was eliminated in the semi-finals of the same event at the Rio Olympics last year, dominated in the final to give him his second individual world title. In 2009 in Rome, he won his first individual world title at the age of 15. Earlier in these championships, he combined with fellow Brit Grace Reid to win the silver medal in the mixed 3-meter springboard.

Daley is coached Jane Figueiredo. Figueiredo, who coached  Russian female divers to four Olympic medals, was the diving head coach at the University of Houston for 23 years. 
u

Houston takes American Athletic Conference swimming and diving title

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

(All photos by Robert H Kelly, Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved)

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 18, 2017) The Houston Cougars women’s swimming and diving team used six medal-platform finishes to power them to the 2017 American Athletic Conference Championships title at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Houston on Saturday, February 18, 2017. The conference championship was the first for the Cougars in program history. Head coach Ryan Wochomurka and diving coach Bob Gunter were selected as the Coach of the Year, with junior Micaela Bouter being awarded the Diver of the Meet honors. Houston scored 772 points in route to their title, followed by 2016 champion SMU with 676 points. Cincinnati (625), East Carolina (473), Connecticut (460) and Tulane (395) rounded out the team placing.

Wochomurka talked about the Cougars’ performance after the meet.

“Look around at everything we have at this university. We have one of the best facilities in the country. We’ve got the best administration in the country. We’ve got an athletic director who wants to jump in the pool with us at the end of the meet. Why can’t we play and be extremely relevant nationally? We’re just getting started. I’m excited for these kids and most importantly I’m excited for these seniors because they had a couple of years where they struggled, but they battled and they led us to this championship. We are not here today without our seniors.”

The Cougars who scored points and their placings are as follows:

1,650-Yard Freestyle

6. Hannah Herbst – 16:41.39

7. Connor Glenn – 16:53.00

200-Yard Backstroke

2. Eleanna Koutsouveli – 1:55.97

6. Laura Laderoute – 1:59.05

---

9. Jasmine Williams – 1:58.65

12. Jennifer Penneck – 2:01.22

100-Yard Freestyle

3. Ksenia Yuskova – 49.93

6. Zarena Brown – 50.49

8. Caitlin Horner – 50.88

200-Yard Breaststroke

2. Victoria Roubique – 2:12.50

4. Peyton Kondis – 2:13.68

5. Cameron Balkom – 2:14.60

200-Yard Butterfly

5. Sharo Rodriquez Rivera – 2:00.51

Platform Dive

2. Micaela Bouter – 213.00

3 Katelyn Abernathy – 202.80

7. Laurel Burrell – 158.00

400-Yard Freestyle Relay

3. Houston – 3:21.71

Zarena Brown, Laura Laderoute, Ksenia Yuskova, Caitlin Horner

Next up for Houston will be the NCAA Zone Diving Meet on March 6-8 in Columbia, Missouri, which will determine the qualifiers for the NCAA Championships on March 15-17 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Former Houston Cougars diver Tania Cagnotto takes silver medal in Rio

Photo courtesy of  University of Houston
Athletics Communications Department
Used with permission.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (August 7, 2016) Former University of Houston diver Tania Cagnotto finally realized her Olympic dream by taking the silver medal in the women’s synchronized 3-meter springboard diving at the Games of the 32^nd Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 7, 2016. The five-time Olympian from Italy combined with Francesca Dallape for the score of 313.83 points to earn the first Olympic medal for both divers.

Cagnotto best finish in Olympic competition prior to Rio was  fourth place in London 2012 in both the 3-meter springboard and the 3-meter synchronized springboard. She placed 18^th in the 3-meter springboard in 2000 Sydney and eighth place in both the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform in Athens. In 2008 Beijing, she was fourth in the 3-meter springboard and tenth on the 10-meter platform. Cagnotto was eighth in the 3-meter springboard at the 2006 NCAA Championships for the University of Houston and earned All-America honors.

The duo of China’s Shi Tingmao and Wu Minxia won the gold medal with the score of 345.60.  Australia’s Maddison Keeney and Anabelle Smith took the bronze (299.19 points).

Houston swimmers, divers nabs six wins against North Texas

Photo courtsey of
University of Houston Athletics Communications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 31, 2015) The University of Houston Swimming & Diving Team had six individual event champions Saturday afternoon, including the diving team sweeping both events against North Texas at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium. The Cougars fell to the Mean Green, 164.5-135.5.

“We designed this weekend to be a challenge, with a high-level meet last night and another high-level meet today,” said head coach Ryan Wochomurka. “I don’t think we were as ready to compete this morning as we were last night. I am proud of how we battled back though; we made a few adjustments in the middle of the meet and we competed better toward the end.”

Despite the loss, Houston produced six event victories, from Delia Weber (1,000-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle), Sharo Rodriguez (200-yard butterfly) Micaela Bouter (1-meter dive, 3-meter dive), and Eleanna Koutsouveli (200-yard backstroke).

“The four student-athletes who won events today continue to be leaders for us,” Wochomurka added. “We look to them for leadership, and the exciting thing is that they’re all underclassmen. They are learning what it means to be in that role, and they are leading the charge.”

The divers swept the meet, going 1-2-3 in both the 1-meter and 3-meter. Leading the pack was Bouter, who finished first in both the 3-meter and 1-meter, scoring 337.05 and 308.85. Senior Danielle Shedd earned second in both events with a score of 335.40 in the 3-meter and 304.13 in the 1-meter. Taylor Olanski rounded out the podium in both the 3-meter and 1-meter with her scores of 316.65 and 281.78.

Houston’s relay teams had four podium finishes in two events.  In the 200-yard medley relay, the Cougars finished second and third. The team of Koutsouveli, Ashley Grijalva, Rodriguez and Doroteja Bednjanec placed second with a time of 1:46.96. They were followed by the team of Jenny Penneck, Cameron Balkom, Taylor Derevyanik, and Caitlin Horner to round out the podium with a time of 1:48.40.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, the team of Horner, Moore, Bednjanec and Hannah Herbst finished second with a swim of 3:31.41. In third was the team of Julie Gibson, Weber, Maya Owens and Derevyanik in a time of 3:35.11.

Weber won the 1,000-yard freestyle for the second day in a row with a swim of 10:13.26. Freshman Herbst placed second in a time of 10:27.88. Weber’s second win of the night came in the 500-yard freestyle, with a time of 5:02.24 as Herbst tied for second with a time of 5:09.48.

Koutsouveli finished second in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 58.33. Her third individual win of the weekend came in the 200-yard backstroke with a swim of 2:03.02, a collegiate personal best.

In the 100-yard breaststroke, sophomore Balkom placed third, swimming it in 1:06.63. The podium finish led the Cougars in the event.

Rodriguez captured first place in the 200-yard butterfly, swimming a time of 2:04.72. The individual victory was Rodriguez’s second in as many days. She also placed second in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 57.57.

In the 50-yard freestyle, Horner finished second with a time of 24.22 and Bednjanec placed third by swimming a time of 24.34. Horner followed that up by placing third in the 100-yard freestyle, swimming the race in 52.83.

In the 200-yard breaststroke, sophomore Grijalva placed third, leading the Cougars with a time of 2:24.55.

In the last individual event of the day, Koutsouveli swam a team season best and personal colligate best in the 200-yard IM with a time of 2:08.97, good for second. Rodriguez was right behind her with a swim of 2:10.76 for third place.

“For us, this was another learning opportunity,” Wochomurka said. “We are a very young team, and we will get better and 

grow from this weekend.”

Arizona State men's swimming win meet in final race; down BYU 151 - 148

1^st Place and 2^nd go to ASU’s Men’s 400 Free Relay.

Photo by Mike Stockman

By Mike Stockman

Staff Correspondent
Copyright 2015 Phoenix Area Sports
(used with permission by TexSport Publications)

TEMPE, ARIZONA  (January 10, 2015) Arizona State University’s men swimming and diving team squeeze out a victory by taking first and second place in the final event of the meet, the 400 free relay, against the Brigham Young University Cougars for a final score 151 -148 at Mona Plummer Aquatic Complex on Saturday, January 10, 2015.

Going into the final event, the 400 Free Relay, ASU’s men were down by 10 points. ASU had two relay teams and BYU fielded three. It would take a stellar performance by both relay teams, requiring them to place first and second to take the meet.

ASU’s “A” team, consisting of Patrick Park, Tadas Duskinas, Sean Kao, and Joe Worrick took the lead and never looked back.

ASU’s “B” team, consisting of Thomaz Martins, Cole Miller, Juhan Hong, and Narkley Perry, was on “A” teams’ heels but were never able to gain ground, finishing a comfortable lead in front of BYU’s “B” team, consisting of Seth Russell, Levi Jensen, Matt Abernethy, and Michael King.

ASU men's diving contributed to the team’s comeback victory against BYU when David Hoffer placed third in one meter diving and first place in the three meter diving. Hunter Atha placed third in the three meter event bringing the total diving contribution to 15 points.

ASU’s women defeated BYU by a score of 182 – 111. Key performances by the women included first place finishes in 200 yard medley relay, 1000 yard free, 200 yard free, 100 yard back, 100 yard breast, 200 yard fly, 50 yard free, 100 yard free, 200 yard back, 200 yard breast, 500 yard free, 100 yard fly, 1 meter diving, 200 yard Individual Medley, and the 400 yard free relay.

The Cougars will be hosting Denver on Saturday January 24 at the Richards Building Pool in Provo.

ASU’s next home appearance is against PAC-12 rivals Cal and Stanford on Jan 23 and 24 at 12 P.M. AZ Time. 

TCU Men, Women Lead After Day 1 of UIW Christmas Invitational

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2011 TexSport Publications

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (December 17, 2011) The TCU men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams lead the field after the first day of competition at the University of the Incarnate Word Christmas Invitational at the Palo Alto College natatorium.

The TCU men and women combined for six wins to highlight the first day’s competition.

The Horned Flogs men’s 400-yard medley relay consisting of Laszlo Gyurko, Edgar Crespo, Luiz Azarias and Devin Price won the final event of the evening with a time of 3:19.98.

Gyurko also took top honors in the 100-yard butterfly with the time of 48.59.

Azarias and Friedrich Grott also scored in the event placing sixth and eighth, respectively.

Sebastian Arispe also won the gold for the Horned Frogs with his 4:26.61 in the 500-yard freestyle. It was his first win in his career for TCU.

Michael Franz, Cooper Robinson and Ross Van Allen also finished in the top 8 and scored points in the event.

The final win for the TCU men was Ricky Bradley’s victory in the 3-meter diving with a personal best score of 305.90.

Freshman Victoria Thicke-Rattray won the 200-yard individual medley for the women followed closely by teammate Ali Bleasdell for the one-two finish.

Katie Lybbert also scored on the boards, winning the 1-meter diving event with the score of 252.85.

The Horned Frogs finished the day leading both divisions, with the men tallying 668 points while the women scored 591 points.

In the men’s division, TCU was followed by Missouri State (627.5), University of the Incarnate Word (517.5), and Utah (333).

The TCU women were followed by Rice (511), Missouri State (398.5), Utah (335.5), University of the Incarnate Word (284) and North Texas (76).