The University of Utah women’s swimming team went head-to-head with Boise State and UCLA in preparation for their meet tomorrow, while at the UCLA Diving Invitational, Josiah Purss made a statement for the men’s team.
“The biggest thing I saw tonight was a fun atmosphere for swimming,” said Utah head coach Joe Dykstra. “This was a really great event for the swimmers on all three teams. It was fun for the coaches as well to do something different and have some non-traditional races. It was a nice opportunity to just have a chance to race, be loose and have a fun time. We had some good swimming tonight and I am excited to have for the action tomorrow.”
At the UCLA Diving Invitational, Josiah Purss came away with a total score of 768.35 in the three-meter event. He was able to nudge out his teammate Jacob Crayne who finished second with a score of 703.30.
Back at the Ute Natatorium, Amanda Casillas took sixth this evening in the three-meter with a total score of 544.65. Lauren Hall was16th (487.25).
In the pool, Megan Kawaguchi and Julienne Tadena both won events for the Utes; Kawaguchi in the 50 back (26.81) and Tadena in the 50 breast (30.30).
Tadena was pressed by her two Ute teammates 50 breast as Darby Wayner (30.39) and Genevieve Robertson (30.40) were nipping at her heels.
Jenna Marsh just missed capturing the 50 fly, touching in at 25.97. Kristine Pataray (26.58) narrowly beat out teammate Sydney Bull (26.59) for sixth place.
Wayner (59.56), Gillian St. John (1:00.08), Marsh (1:00.15), Francis (1:00.41), Jordan Anderson (1:00.65) and Bull (1:00.94) all placed in the top-10 in the 100 IM.
The women compete tomorrow in Ute Natatorium at 11 a.m. against the same two squads. As opposed to this evening, tomorrow’s events will be scored. The Ute divers are back in action as well, albeit in L.A.
