PROVO, Utah­­­­ – Utah won 11 of the 15 swimming events against BYU on Thursday evening in non-scoring relays.

“It was just a fun and exciting event to participate in”, said BYU head coach John Brooks. “Some of the events we did really well in and some of the events we were a little shallow. This relay event gives our team a little bit of reality check and motivates us to continue working harder”.

Taking first in the 4x100 freestyle relay, the BYU men’s team recorded a time of 3:02.74. This time is the best recorded thus far for a team in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. This was the only event in the relays that will be contested in regular season meets.

To add to the excitement, Payton Sorenson, a junior at BYU, recorded one of his best times in the opening 50-yard leg of the men’s 500-yard freestyle relay with a time of 19.99.

Members of the BYU diving team not only participated in synchronized diving, but they also put together a mixed 200-yard relay team. Both BYU diving teams took first and second in that relay.

A coed relay ended the evening, with an exciting finish in the mixed 200-yard free. Sorenson created a small lead in the opening leg. Utah took the lead, in the middle of that event. Coming down to the last second, Cougar David Harlan pulled ahead of Utah to claim the final win of the night. The relay team clocked a 1:28.70 time.

The BYU women’s team will take on the Utes again in a double dual with Oregon State next Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Ute Natatorium. The relay and next Friday’s meet are not part of the BYU/Utah Deseret Duel, but the upcoming January dual does count in those standings.

After participation in the Blue/White and Alumni meet, BYU takes on rival University of Utah in relay races on Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Richards Building Pool.

“The relay meet is probably one of the most entertaining swimming meets throughout the season,” BYU coach John Brooks said. “There are many fun non-regular season events such as coed relays and synchronized diving in which the team participates. It’s a low pressure event and a lot of fun for the athletes and fans.”

This event includes 14 relays and two diving events throughout the evening. Although the relay races will not be scored and counted toward regular season standings, it provides an opportunity for rival schools to participate in pre-season competition. BYU has a dual meet against the Utes later in the regular season on January 21, 2017.

Cougar fans and alumni are invited to attend the home event, which offers free admission.