LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com)- The UNLV Rebels will compete in the 2019 Western Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships this week in Houston at the CRWC Natatorium. This year's championship will run from Wednesday through Saturday, with preliminaries starting at 10:30 am (CT) each day, while the finals will begin at 6:00 pm (CT) each night.  

"Our men are a young squad this year, but very hungry after our runner-up finish last year," said head coach Ben Loorz. "The addition of Cal Baptist to the Conference has significantly increased the competition level, and we are excited for the challenge.  We have had either an A cut or an NCAA qualifier each of the last two years, so we certainly have our sights set on keeping that streak going."

The Rebel men have their sights set on surpassing last year's runner-up finish. Looking to pace UNLV's efforts this week is freshman Wyatt Marsalek who holds the third-fastest time in the league in the 1650 free (15:45.68) and the ninth-fastest time in the 500 free (4:33.04). Junior Hayden Hemmens is also expected to earn points for the Rebels. Hemmens, currently, holds the fifth-fastest time in the WAC in the 200 free (1:38.44), sixth-fastest time in the 500 free (4:29.53), and the sixth-fastest time in the 200 back (1:49.06).

Also, looking to score points for the Rebels are divers freshman Tazman Abramowicz and sophomore Jesse Cawley who have both earned WAC Divers of the Week honors this season, as well as freshmen swimmers Ivan Zukov, and Hayden Cornellison. Zukov is seeded sixth in the 400 IM (3:59.08) and seventh in the 200 breast (2:01.72). Cornellison is ranked fifth in the 200 back (1:48.93), eighth in the 100 back (49.64), and ninth in the 200 IM (1:51.87).Michal Cukanow is slotted third in the 200 fly (1:48.02) and seventh in the 100 fly (49.02). 

Real-time results are available through the Meet Mobile app and they can also be found online. The finals sessions each night will be broadcast live on the WAC Digital Network. Prelims sessions will be shown on Facebook Live.

Fans can also follow the championships through the league's social media channels on Twitter (@WACsports), Facebook (WesternAthleticsConference) and Instagram (@WACsports) for updates on each day's events.

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: The Rebel women will head to Federal Way, Washington, for the PAC-12 Last Chance Meet on March 3.