Feb. 21, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The UNLV men's and women's swimming and diving teams each claimed a relay victory as the first day of action concluded at the 2007 Mountain West Swimming and Diving Championships held at the Oklahoma City Community College. UNLV stands in fourth on the men's side, and fifth in the women's standings.
The Rebel men, who are looking to defend their title for the second straight year, are in better position than they have been in either of their championship years of 2005 and 2006, finishing the day with 83 points. They began with a second place finish in the 200 medley relay, as BYU just outtouched them by .12 seconds to break UNLV's five-year win streak in the event. The Rebels did earn a NCAA `B' qualifying time, as the team of Devin Phillips, Jonas Andersson, Tiger Christian, and Brandon Nelms finished in 1:28.72. The Rebels would claim a repeat championship swim in the 800 free relay, with Richard Hortness, Johan Claar, Erik Ringdahl, and John Byers swimming a time of 6:34.09.
Also scoring on the night for the UNLV men was it three divers. Eli Tanimoto was 11th on the 1-meter board with a score of 249.90, while Matt Arb was 13th (235.35) and Vincent English placed 15th (226.85).
BYU is atop the men's standings after the first day with 103 points, while Wyoming is second at 96, and Air Force is in third with 93. Behind UNLV is Utah (fifth with 84 points) and TCU (sixth with 73).
On the women's side, UNLV's 200 medley relay squad of Amanda Weinbrecht, Kim Bonney, Marina Sandback, and Katie Wronn won the MWC title for just the second time in conference history, with a school record time of 1:42.56. The Rebels also finished third in the 800 free relay, as Lauren Browning, Marva Harpak, Lani Seaman, and Roxy Camuso touched the wall in 7:32.05.
BYU leads the women's standings as well, with 120 points over Wyoming's 107. Utah is third at 86, followed by Colorado State in fourth (76), New Mexico in sixth (63), TCU in seventh (59), Air Force eighth (44), and San Diego State ninth (36).
The four-day meet continues tomorrow, and will conclude on Saturday.
