BYU Wins Big at Big West Shootout

IRVINE -- The Cougars finished the weekend at UC Irvine in the Big West Shootout with a 5-0 sweep, to jump-start their scored season undefeated. Showing some of the best times in the country this early in the season, BYU knocked out nationally-ranked Washington 78-33, Hawaii 70-43 and UC Irvine 81-32 in three meets Saturday to claim the championship.

Men's swimming coach Tim Powers said the team had not rested for the weekend invitational and competed better than he had anticipated.

"I was really pleased the guys responded so well," he said. "They were just answering the call."

Junior Brett Allen continued his hot streak Saturday after setting two records in competition Friday, and finished the weekend taking first place in every event he swam, including a 20.27 in the 50 free and a time of 45.06 in the 100 free today.

The rest of the Cougars racked up plenty of points in all three meets Saturday with several top-ten finishers across the board, including a first and second place in the 200 fly by junior Jorge Azevedo coming in at 1:51.65 and sophomore Jeffrey Su clocking-in behind him at 1:53.56.

Freshman John Kendrick brought in a second-place finish in the 500 free at 4:35.03 and added two thirds, one in the 1000 free, and the other in the 200 free behind sophomore teammate Travis Price in second at 1:41.18.

Junior Chris Patience also added another second place finish behind Allen in the 100 free, coming in at 46.16 and senior Nicholas Tobler finished the 200 breast with a time of 2:04.35 and a third-place finish.

BYU also finished strong in the 400 medley, bringing in a second-place finish just .17 seconds behind first.

Coach Powers said there are certain expectations for BYU swimmers, and he feels the team lived up to them this weekend.

"We swim with the idea we can win," he said. "There's a tradition of doing well in swimming and we're just keeping to it."

The BYU divers also finished the weekend with top scores. Sophomore Ron Morris brought in two third-place finishes scoring a 289.35 on the 1-meter board and 309.75 on the 3-meter.

The Cougars will begin Mountain West competition at home Friday hosting UNLV.