Women's Nationals And Zone E Diving On Horizon

PROVO, Utah -- Seniors Rachel Grant and Sara Jayne Baldwin qualified as the only swimmers from the women’s team to make it to NCAA’s for their performances at the Mountain West Conference Championship last weekend.

This will be Baldwin’s first ever appearance at the NCAA’s after racing a time of 1:58.67 in the 200 IM.

“Going to NCAA’s is something I’ve dreamed about since coming to BYU,” said Baldwin. “It’s especially been my goal this year since it’s my senior year and last chance to do it. I’ve probably thought about NCAA’s everyday for the past six months so now that I really am going, I couldn’t be more happy or excited about it. I can’t wait to be there and race the fastest girls in the nation.”

Grant, however, will be returning for her third year in a row. Grant qualified for her times of 4:10.77 in the 400 IM and 1:57.19 in the 200 butterfly.

“I’m excited to be able to make the NCAA meet,” Grant said. “We’re getting right back into hard training and weigh lifting right now to prepare before we rest again. Nationals is the most exciting, fastest meet out there and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make it and represent BYU along with my teammate Sara Jayne.”

Women’s NCAA’s will be held on March 17 through the 19 in Austin, Texas.

Next up for the BYU men and women’s dive will be the Zone E diving meet, taking place on March 10-12 in Minneapolis.

“This meet should definitely be an interesting one because we’re diving PAC 10 against some very difficult competition,” BYU head diving coach Keith Russell said. “This meet will be the tests of all tests. What we need from our divers is for everybody to step up and perform at their best. If we do that, then we’re in there with best of them.”

Check back to byucougars.com for updates on these meets.