BYU Swims Against Utah for Conference Championship

PROVO -- The BYU men's and women's swim teams will head to Salt Lake City on Friday to face the University of Utah for the final dual meet of the season.

This week's meet has more on the line than just a rivalry. With a win over the Utes, the Cougar men will clinch a tie with UNLV as the Mountain West Conference Regular-Season Champions. On the women's side, both teams are undefeated so whoever wins will be crowned this year's regular-season conference champions.

"We want to race the best we can," said BYU women's head swim coach Stan Crump. "We'll have a normal week of practice, but they're the defending champions. It's going to be a good meet."

The BYU women are looking to avenge last year's loss when Utah came to Provo and defeated the Cougars, 128-115. It was a close meet the whole way with the winner decided in the final events.

The Cougar men will take their 4-1 record to a competitive Utah team that is looking to upset BYU's chance of clinching a tie as the regular-season champions.

"Our focus is on Utah," said BYU men's head swim coach Tim Powers. "They will swim their very best against us, and they won't be unprepared."

With their eyes looking towards the MWC Championships that are just a few weeks away, BYU can't overlook the Utes, who currently post a 2-2 MWC record. Last season when Utah came to Provo, the Cougars, led by the relay teams and All-American Brett Allen, defeated the Utes, 134-109.

The dual meet will be the final competition for both BYU and Utah before the MWC Championships begin on Feb. 21.

Friday's meet will begin at 6 p.m.