Feb. 22, 2006
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - UNLV won two relays, and both the Rebel men and women's squads are in fifth place after the first day of action at the 2006 Mountain West Conference Swimming & Championship, held at Oklahoma City Community College.
The Rebel men are actually in better position after the first day then they were in 2005 when they won their first-ever MWC title, as UNLV won both relay events on the day to score a total of 80 points. UNLV began the meet by winning the men's 200-yard medley relay for the fifth straight year, and sixth time in the seven-year history of the league, in a time of 1:28.32, which is the second fastest time in school history. Devin Phillips led off the title relay, and was joined by Jonas Andersson, Joe Bartoch, while Brandon Nelms swam the anchor leg.
The Rebels then followed with a surprise victory in the 800 free relay, winning the event for just the second time. John Byers, Richard Hortness, Johan Claar, and Matt Morton all teamed up to give UNLV its first 800 title since 2001, winning in a school record time of 6:34.05. UNLV did not bring any divers to this year's meet, while allowed four other schools to pass them in the team standings. Utah took first and eighth on the one-meter board and lead the overall standings with 104 points, while BYU is second at 94, and Wyoming is third at 92. TCU is fifth with 87, and Air Force rounds out the men's field with 78 points.
On the women's side, UNLV's 200 medley relay squad of Jessie Bradshaw, Kim Bonney, Marina Sandback, and Katie Wronn took third behind Utah and BYU with a swim of 1:43.25, which is the third fastest team in school history. The Rebels then took fourth in the 800 free relay, as Kari Nettenstrom, Ana Dangalakova, Lauren Browning, and Alison Zick swam a time of 7:30.96. Utah leads the women's team standings as well with 105 points, with BYU in second with 94, TCU is third at 77, Colorado State is fourth with 74, UNLV fifth at 71, Wyoming comes in sixth at 70, New Mexico is seventh with 65 points, Air Force is eighth with 45, and San Diego State is ninth with 44.
The four-day meet continues tomorrow, and will conclude on Saturday.
