LARAMIE -- The BYU women's swimming and diving team defeated Wyoming in a close meet, 125,118, while the 20th ranked men's team defeated the Cowboys easily, 149-90, Saturday afternoon at Corbett Pool.
The Cougar women were winning by just two points going into the 200 free relay and needed to win the race to win the meet. BYU finished 1, 2 in the relay with its "A" team, consisting of Carolyn Wigginton, Nikki Xanthos, Lyndi Juvan and Hannah Palmer, placing first.
"Wyoming has great divers and they jumped out to an early 18-point lead on us," coach Stan Crump said. "The meet was back and forth, but we won on the last relay to give us the victory."
Davis continued her excellent swimming by winning the 200 free and 100 back, and Xanthos followed up her two victories in the 100 breast last week with another win against the Cowboys. Nichole Tolley (50 free) also won for the Cougars.
On the men's side, BYU got off to a quick start by winning both of the diving competitions and didn't look back. Justin Beardall placed first in the 1-meter, while his teammate, Scott Randall, placed first in the 3-meter.
Zach Anderson paced the Cougars in the distance events, placing first in the 1000 and 500 free. Diogo Yabe also won two races at the meet--the 100 fly and the 200 free. Yabe also swam on the 200 free relay team that placed first.
Also winning for the Cougars were Ryan Mullen (50 free), Randy Belliston (400 IM), Mark Chay (100 free) and Gary Tan (100 breast).
The Cougars will close out their conference dual meet schedule on Jan. 30 when they host the University of Utah at the Richards Building Pool.
COLORADO SPRINGS -- The BYU women's and 20th ranked men's swimming and diving teams will be traveling to Air Force on Jan. 22 and Wyoming on Jan. 24 for two Mountain West Conference dual meets.
The men are coming off of a close loss to the University of Washington two weeks ago, while the women finished 1-1 in conference dual meets last week.
Men's coach Tim Powers said he expects both meets to be tough,but his team will be up for the competition.
"I expect both of them to be strong, especially in their own pools," Powers said. "Air Force has a couple of strong swimmers returning, including Paul Brehm who is the returning conference champion in the 200 back. And Scott Usher from Wyoming finished second in the 200 breast at the U.S. Open last year."
On the women's side, coach Stan Crump also thinks both meets will be tough for his team.
"This is probably the toughest road trip we'll go on this year," Crump said. "Both Air Force and Wyoming are at 7,200 feet, and that makes it harder . We saw Air Force at the Speedo Cup, and we beat them, but they looked really good."
Following these meets, the Cougars will return to the Richards Building pool to take on the University of Utah on Jan. 30 for their final conference meets.
