Utes Finish Dual Weekend Strong, Beat Rival BYU
SALT LAKE CITY- The Utah men's swim and dive team finished the weekend strong, breaking one pool record and beating BYU 179-121 Saturday at the Ute Natatorium.
"There was a tremendous attitude and effort from the guys today and great resiliency," said head coach Joe Dykstra. "We have had a hard three weeks of training and they were able to fight through and put up some really good performances today. That was almost 100 percent related to their attitude and the team effort, which you saw on display and how much they care about each other. I am really proud of the team culture that brings us this kind of win. I am proud of our seniors as well. Felix had a really good day and Robby has been out medically and was able to do a relay split and put up one of his best times ever on no training."
The Utes started off the meet strong winning the 200 medley relay led by Andrei Ungur, Andrew Britton, Cooper Deryk, and Finn O'Haimhirgin (1:27.61). Nathan Ramey won the 1000 free (9:32.83) and Ungur won the 100 back (48.01).
Britton placed second in the 100 breast (55.60) and Ben Waterman took second as well in the 200 fly (1:47.76). Deryk took another win in the 50 free (20.28), followed by Felix Chiun winning the 100 free (44.28) in his senior meet. Preston Panells made the top of the podium in the 200 back with a time of 1:48.21.
Jaek Horner placed third in the 200 breast with a time of 2:05.33. Dylan Becker came out on top in the 500 free (4:35.12).
Deryk broke the pool record he set last week against Colorado Mesa in the 100 fly and turned around to break it once again with a fast time of 47.14. The Utes finished off the meet strong winning the 200 free relay raced by Contreras, Britton, Deryk, and Chiun.
Tony Chen topped the podium in both diving events Saturday, scoring 341.55 on the 1m and 396.08 on the 3m. Chase Hindmarsh placed third on the 1m with a score of 281.03 and fourth on the 3m, scoring 286.28. Jenner Pennock finished fifth on the 1m with a score of 254.03, and placed third on the 3m with a score of 317.10.
Utah diving will compete at the Air Force Diving Invite next Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 4-6.