PROVO, Utah – The BYU women’s swim and dive team defeated Grand Canyon 170-101 at the last home meet of the season while the men's team fell, 169-130.
“We had a really strong presence for our women’s team and they fought really well,” BYU head coach John Brooks said. “It was a battle back and forth for our men’s team. We were missing a few divers, including Nathan Gonzales and Morgan Cooper, that would have helped us put up a better fight, but overall I’m proud of our men and our women.”
A team of Brynn Sproul, Mariah Lindsay, Ellie Thornbrue-Brinton and Gwen Gustafson kicked off the meet for the Cougars taking first in the women’s 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:44.52. With Grand Canyon trailing behind, BYU also secured second with Makayla Cazier, Alexa Walters, Madeline Zarchin and Katie Smith posting 1:46.66 in the same event.
The women also shined with Sproul and Kelly Hatanaka placing first and second in the 100-yard backstroke event with times of 57.59 and 58.66, respectively. Cazier took the win for the 200-yard backstroke at 2:06.04. Tiare Coker sealed a win of her own in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:52.85.
Lindsay added two other first-place spots to the board in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke with a times of 1:04.43 and 2:22.90, respectively. Alexa Walters touched quickly after Hatanakaka in the 100-yard breaststroke at 1:04.96. Gustafson came back taking first in the 50-yard freestyle, swimming a time of 23.27. Katie Smith followed taking second with a time of 23.85.
For the men, Payton Sorenson went on to win the men’s 50-yard freestyle, recording his second-best time of the season at 19.83. He also took first in the 100-yard freestyle at 44.41. Connor Stirling followed in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 20.64. Levi Jensen performed well in the men’s 100-yard breaststroke, recording a winning time of 56.74, while Josue Dominguez placed second at 56.90. Ryan Sorensen finished in first place in the men’s 200-yard breaststroke, recording his fastest swim of the season at 2:03.19.
Despite two BYU divers not competing, the team was able to post top scores during the meet. Kennedy Cribbs performed well in both events, taking first in the 1-meter with a score of 266.90 and placing second in the 3-meter with a 267.70. Adia London and Morgan Mellow followed in third and fourth in the 3-meter, respectively. Kimble Mahler led the men, taking third in both events, scoring a 295.45 in the 1-meter and a 283.20 in the 3-meter
The Cougars will face Utah for their final regular dual meet of the season on Saturday, Jan. 26, at Ute Natatorium.