First Meet Highlights Freshmen And Sophomores

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PROVO -- The freshmen and sophomores of BYU and Utah faced off in an unscored meet Thursday in the season opener at the Richards Building pool.

“I’m really pleased with our teams,” BYU head coach Tim Powers said. “The new swimmers gave us an excellent look at what they have to offer and I’m confident that we’ll have a pretty successful season. We also have some solid sprinters and relay teams. I was especially pleased with their performance.”

The first event to open up the meet was the 200 medley relay. Both the men’s and women’s teams took first place with swimmers Meagan Stone, Kassy Bispo, Kimberley Welch and Taryn Toolson for the women’s team. The men’s team consisted of swimmers Jake Taylor, Brady Wells, Mckay King and Geoff Jameson.

The 200-yard freestyle was another success for the women with Allie Dodds taking first, recording a time of 1:54.35. Freshman Robbie Miner came in second for the men’s heat with a time of 1:46.82.

In the 200-yard individual medley, Taylor placed first with a time of 1:54.41, while Londyn Clawson placed second for the Cougar women with a time of 2:08.13.

Toolson had the only tie of the meet in the 50 free, touching in at 24.52 along with Chardonnay Biter-Mundt of Utah.

Kimberly Welch competed in the 100-yard butterfly, touching in at 55.72 for first while King recorded a time of 51.95 placing second for the men.

The Cougars struggled with 100-yard freestyle, with Angela Bennion for the women coming in third place at 54.45 and Nui Harris placing fourth at 48.16.

In the 500-yard freestyle, Dodds took first by a long shot with her time of 5:07.02. Sami Zuch of Utah placed second with a time of 5:11.46 and Alicia

Watkins came in third right behind Zuch with a time of 5:12.85.

Dallin Johnson of BYU recorded a first-place win in the 500 free with a final time of 4:44.30. Second place went to Ryan Hansen of Utah (4:50.30) and coming in third was Miner (4:53.03).

Jake Taylor placed first for the men in the 100-yard backstroke with a final time of 51.36, while Mckay King took second with his time of 52.41. Welch placed second for the women with a time of 58.99.

In the 100 breaststroke, Bispo took first with a time of 1:05.79 while Clawson came in right behind her at 1:06.06. Chad Sorenson took first for the men with a time of 59.27.

In the 200-yard relay, the BYU women’s team placed second with a final time of 1:39.77. Members for the women’s team consisted of Stone, Bennion, Toolson and Addy Marsh.

The men’s team also took first with a final time of 1:25.82. Members included King, Jameson, Harris, and Taylor.

BYU had no men divers competing in this meet, but the women had a successful night.

“We had some amazing dives tonight,” BYU diving coach Keith Russell said. “Dayna Christensen did a great job, and so did Raleigh Williams for having been injured.”

Freshman Williams injured her back last week during weightlifting but is recovering and will continue to compete.

The Cougars will be back in the Richards Building pool Friday for the annual Alumni Blue and White meet beginning at 6 p. m.