Taylor and Watson Return From NCAA Meet

PROVO, Utah-(March 28, 2011) – Jake Taylor and Brandon Watson of the BYU men’s swim and dive team returned from a weekend in Minneapolis, competing in the men’s NCAA meet.

“This was a great experience for Jake as a freshman,” BYU head coach Tim Powers said. “He was one of the last selected to go and he showed up and swam well. The times he swam here were better than his morning times at conference, so that just shows how well he did individually.

“Brandon did as well as we could have expected him to,” said Powers. “He’s a talented diver, but has been struggling with a herniated disc in his back. But, we’re working on getting him healthy and ready for the big competitions he’s got coming up.”

At NCAA’s, Taylor placed 24th in the preliminary round for the 100 backstroke with his time of 47.56. In the 200 back, he touched in at a time of 1:44.58, earning him 29th in the prelims. Taylor was able to record a time of 1:46.80 in the 200 IM, grabbing 35th in the prelim round.

Watson scored a 353.90 in the men’s 3-meter springboard competition, earning him 16th in the prelims, right behind the cutoff for the consolation final round.

Although currently injured, Watson has been given a great honor in being asked to represent the US in a Grand Prix meet in May at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The Grand Prix meet features top swimmers and divers from around the world.

Not only will Watson be competing in May, but he will also have the opportunity to dive for the US at the World University Games in China this summer.

For the results of the men’s NCAA meet, click HERE.