Utah Diving Heads To UCLA Diving Invitational, Women’s Swim To Washington State

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah swimming and diving team continues action this weekend with the divers headed to the UCLA Diving Invitational, while the women's swim team is slated for the first dual meet of the year, facing Washington State. The UCLA Diving Invitational will run Friday through Sunday, Jan. 15-17 in Los Angeles, while swim will compete in Pullman, Wash. on Friday at 5 p.m. PT at Gibb Pool.

Utah will go head-to-head with divers from UCLA and UNLV in this year's invitational in Los Angeles. Competition begins with the women's 1-meter and men's 3-meter on Friday beginning at 12:35 p.m. PT. The women's 3m and men's platform will take place on Saturday, beginning once again at 12:35 p.m. PT, while the women's platform and men's 1m will begin Sunday at 10:50 a.m. PT. Live results for the diving meet can be accessed at DiveMeets.com.

To follow the Utah swimmers vs. Washington State, fans can tune into the live stream. There will be no live stats.

BECKER NAMED TO USA SWIMMING NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM
Becker, a freshman at Utah, has been added to the 2021 USA Swimming National Junior Team, announced by USA Swimming on Jan. 10. Becker was added to the roster for the 800 and 1500 freestyle events. Becker earned the distinction after winning the 800 and 1500 free at the NCSA Summer Swimming Championship in 2019. The Las Vegas, Nev. finished the 800 free with a personal-best time of 8:07.48, while totaling 15:28.31 in the 1500 free. During his club career with the Sandpipers of Nevada, Becker was an Olympic Trials qualifier in the 800 free and 1500 free, along with the 2019 5K Junior National Champion. He was also a Nevada State champion in the 1650 free.

LAST TIME OUT
Utah Diving Invitational
The Utah diving team kicked off the New Year hosting BYU, Wyoming and Air Force at the Utah Diving Invitational. Tony Chen swept the competition, winning both the 1m (677.05) and 3m (762.70). Luke McDivitt earned third-place finishes on both boards, while Jenner Pennock had a great outing and placed fourth on both boards in his first meet in over two and a half years. Chase Hindmarsh finished fifth on the 1m.

On the women's side, Lexi Mills picked up her first collegiate win after she ran away with the 3m (602.25). Mills finished third the following day on the 1m to close out her weekend. Emma Ruchala had herself another solid weekend, picking up a second-place finish on the 1m and third-place finish on the 3m. Lizzy DeCecco placed fourth on both events, while Regan Caufield finished fifth on both events.

Time Trials at BYU
The Utah swim team competed in the BYU Time Trials where the Utes came away with 12 event victories. On the men's side, Andrei Ungur won the 100 back, Cooper deRyk won the 100 fly an 50 free, Nathan Ramey took home the 1000 free, while Holden Ellsworth claimed the 200 back victory. Rhys Winter also secured the 500 free victory. The 200 free relay team comprised of Felix Chiun, deRyk, Finn O'Haimhirigin and Santiago Contreras also pulled in a win on the first day of the time trials.

On Saturday, the women's swimmers got in the pool for their first competition of the year. Sadie Edwards picked up the first win of the day, winning the 100 fly, while Alyssa Watson placed first in the 200 free shortly after. Maddie Woznick won the 100 free and 50 free, and Sara McClendon won the 1000 free.

UP NEXT
Utah swim & dive is set to host Colorado Mesa on Saturday, Jan. 23 at the Ute Natatorium. Utah will stay home the next week when the team hosts BYU for a dual meet spanning over two days. The Utes and Cougars will compete on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 29-30 in Salt Lake City.