Feb. 26, 2016 HOUSTON, Texas (UNLVRebels.com) -
Senior Lucas James won the first conference title for UNLV in a diving event since 1987, while freshman Pasha Semochkin claimed his first career conference title for UNLV on Friday night and nearly added another with a runner-up finish as the Rebels now stand in fourth place after three days of action at the 2016 WAC Swimming and Diving championships, held this year at the University of Houston's CRWC Natatorium. The Rebels have 422 points in the seven-team event, trailing Air Force (554), Wyoming (487) and Grand Canyon (466).
"We had a very strong day today," said UNLV interim head coach Bobby Folan. "A freshman starting his career with a conference win and a senior finishing her career with his first conference win. Luke was amazing today, he was on a mission and no one was going to stop him. Pasha had a big day today with his win in the 100 fly as well as his swim in the 100 back and leading off our medley relay. He inspired some great performances which will help us heading into our final prelims session Saturday."
James finished off his last ever event at the WAC Championships with his best performance ever, as he would score a new school and WAC record 344.80 points on the platform to become UNLV's first-ever champion in the event in any conference. He's also the first Rebel divier to win a conference championship since Don Wilhelm on the 1m and 3m boards at the 1987 Big West Championships.
"I am immensely proud of Luke and beyond happy for him to earn this honor at his final conference championship," said UNLV diving coach Derek Starks. "Not only did his hard work pay off, but his stamina and drive as a competitor made this meet for him."
Semochkin was also a big story for UNLV on Friday, as he began his night by claiming the 100 fly title in a time of 46.46, the second-fastest time in UNLV history and a NCAA 'B' provisional time as well. He is the third straight Rebel to win the WAC 100 fly title, after Dillon Virva won the past two seasons. Virva would take third place this year, posting a time of 47.24 while Dylan Tarazona was fifth in 47.81. Both those times were 'B' times as well. Joseph Starkweather scored in the event as well, placing 12th in 48.84.
The night's first event was the 400 IM where Hannon Daigler placed seventh in 3:52.67, a 'B' time. He posted a 3:51.69 in the morning, which ranks fourth all-time at UNLV. In the 200 free, Samuel Lameynardie would finish in seventh in 1:37.24, a 'B' time, while Brenton Sayers took 12th in 1:39.29 and Forrest Beesley was 15th in 1:40.32.
Boris Kulizhnikov and Francois Van Wynsberghe both posted 'B' times in the 100 breast, thanks to times of 54.41 (sixth place) and 55.28 (11th), respectively. Then came the 100 back, where Semochkin took a second place finish in a time of 46.72, .42 out of first place. It gave him a 'B' time and was the the second-fastest time in school history. Also scoring in the race were Christian Sobczak in sixth (49.16) and Caio Dini in seventh (49.54). The final event was the 400 medley relay, and Semochkin, Kulizhnikov, Virva and Foley teamed up to place third with a time of 3:10.47
The four day meet continues on Thursday and Friday before concluding on Saturday night.
2016 WAC Men's Swimming & Diving Championships
CRWC Natatorium
Houston, Texas
Friday, February 26
Third Day Results
Team Scoring
- Air Force - 554
- Wyoming - 487
- GrandCanyon - 466
- UNLV - 422
- North Dakota - 268
- CSU Bakersfield - 236
- Seattle - 127
Top-Eight Finishes
Platform Diving - 1st place - Lucas James (344.80)
100 Fly - 1st place - Pasha Semochkin (46.46*), 3rd place - Dillon Virva (47.24*), 5th place - Dylan Tarazona (47.81*)
100 Back - 2nd place - Pasha Semochkin (46.72*), 6th place - Christian Sobczak (49.16), 7th place - Caio Dini (49.54)
400 Medley Relay - 3rd place - 3:10.47 (Pasha Semochkin, Boris Kulizhnikov, Dillon Virva, Kasey Foley)
100 Breast - 6th place - Boris Kulizhnikov (54.41*)
200 Free - 7th place - Samuel Lameynardie (1:37.24*)
400 IM - 7th place - Hannon Daigler (3:52.67*)
New UNLV and WAC Record
Platform Diving - 1st place - Lucas James (344.80)
