Swimmers Dive into First Conference Meet

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    By Rachael Wadley

    BYU swimmers will create splashes, waves and wakes as they dive into the pool to compete against TCU in the first Mountain West Conference meet of the season Thursday at 5p.m.

    The pool is six lanes and does not foster fast swims because of the “chop” that is created from the small size of the pool, but both teams swim in the same type of pool so there is no room for excuses this week.

    “I”m looking forward to seeing them compete against swimmers other than ourselves,” head coach Tim Powers said.

    TCU has already competed in two dual meets and are prepared to swim against the Cougars.

    “We have been able to watch TCU,” Powers said. “We will see some of their very best efforts because when BYU is in town, they are highly-competitive.”

    Cougars finished the Blue and White meet last weekend with the women producing surprising times.

    “We”ve selected the traveling team,” Powers said.

    The traveling team was decided from the results of the meet. Those swimmers who won each event were guaranteed a spot on the team that would head to TCU. Cougars selected include freshman Candice Smith, who finished the 100-meter backstroke in 56.69 seconds, a personal best. Junior Natasha Menezes, senior Jacoby Jacobsen, senior Gregor Greiner, sophomore Vytenis Slenys, John Kendrick, sophomore Rachel Grant, sophomore Aleesha Miller, junior Kirsty Ferrell, freshman Stott Bushnell and freshman Kelsey Higginson round out the traveling team.

    The women”s team is predicted to win the MWC, ahead of rival Utah and UNLV.

    “The women are looking extremely strong,” Powers said.

    Through their training regime up to this point, the Cougars have not started tapering, a workout that focuses on speed over intensity. The men were right where the coaching staff expected them to be after their swims Friday, but Powers said the recently-returned missionaries and newly-recruited freshman have work to do.

    “They need to be ready to bring their ”A” game,” Powers said.

    The women”s team will also face New Mexico and Northern Arizona Saturday at 11 a.m. in Albuquerque, N.M.

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