Feb. 23, 2010
LAS VEGAS -
**Once again this year, UNLVRebels.com will have daily reports from the MWC Championships from the Pool Deck, thanks to assistant coach Ben Loorz. Check back often during the week for his updates**
The UNLV men's and women's swimming and diving teams are set to begin competition in this week's 2010 Mountain West Conference Championships, which will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23 through Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Oklahoma City Community College Aquatic Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
The Rebel men, ranked 22nd in the nation, are looking to claim a sixth straight MWC championship meet title. UNLV finished the regular season with a 6-3 mark, and was 4-1 in the MWC, with the lone loss coming at TCU in the final regular season dual meet. Coming into this week's championships, of the 13 individual events the Rebels have the top time in eight. Looking to defend titles at this year's meet is junior Kier Maitland, the 2009 500 free and 1650 free champion. He's ranked first in the conference in both, and is also the top seed in the 200 free. Also ranked first in their events is Steven Nelms (50 free, 100 fly), Calan Eldridge (100 free), Andrew Morrell (200 breast) and Daniel Egly (200 fly). Nick Blank and Tyler Bush will also be looking to defend their titles from a year ago, in the 200 back and 400 IM, respectively. UNLV swept all five relays at the 2009 meet, and is favored to do so once again, with the top-seeded team in each relay event.
UNLV's women's squad returns a pair of individual winners from the 2009 championships, seniors Ana Dangalakova (200 back) and Marva Harpak (200 free). Both will be looking to repeat as league champs, while freshman Brittany Ozar is a threat in the distance events, coming in with the top time this season in the 1650 free.
