Feb. 19, 2003

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - After the first day of competition at the 2003 Mountain West Conference Swimming and Diving Championships, the UNLV men's team is currently holding down third place, while the women's team is in fourth. Three-time defending conference champion BYU leads the men's and women's field with 139 and 101 points, respectively.

Air Force trails the Cougars in men's action with 87 points, followed by UNLV (79), Wyoming (78) and Utah (62). The Rams hold the No. 2 spot in the women's events with 99 points, followed by New Mexico (84), UNLV (79), Wyoming (76), Utah (73), Air Force (71) and San Diego State (22).

Competition opened with the UNLV women taking second place in the 200 medley relay. The team of Raluca Udroiu, Shayna Burns, Julie Unrau and Jessie Bradshaw finished in a time of 1:45.10, while Colorado State won in 1:45.00.

UNLV set a new MWC and school record in the men's 200-yard medley relay (1:28.85). The Rebels captured their third title in the event in four years (2000, 2002 and 2003). Jonathan Hugo, Patrick Adams, Michael Day and Bjorn Eriksson made of the winning team.

Tyler Wistisen and Nichole McLean each finished eighth in the 1-meter preliminary competition. Wistisen scored 228.3 points, while McLean finished with 217.5 points.

Day one competition concluded with the 800 free relay in which the Rebel men finished fifth and the women took fourth. The women's team of Alyson Noble, Alison Zick, Julie Unrau and Tamee Ebert finished in 7:36.20, while the men's team of Joe Bartoch, Andrew Kapchinske, Michael Day and Kyle Tannehill finished in 7:02.30.

Day two events begin Thursday, Feb. 19, with preliminary events at 8 a.m. PST and finals competition at 4 p.m. The MWC Swimming & Diving Championships conclude Saturday, Feb. 22, following the 4 p.m. finals events and the announcement of the individual and team awards.