The men’s and women’s swimming and diving squads faced off against the University of Utah in a conference meet Friday night in the University Recreation Center.
The men’s team walked away with a 145-92 victory while the women ended their evening in a tie with the Utes at 121.5 points each.
The men’s decisive victory gave the team its first Mountain West Conference win of the season. The team’s conference record now stands at 1-4 while its overall record was pushed to 2-5 with the win.
The women’s team came into the meet having never beaten Utah’s squad since joining the Mountain West Conference in 2005. Utah’s women’s team entered the meet with a 7-0 overall record and a 2-0 mark in conference play this season.
Head coach Richard Sybesma said the women’s tie against Utah shows that his team is making progress against a tough opponent.
“For us to rise up to that level in a dual meet against them was phenomenal for our women,” Sybesma said.
The tie puts the women’s squad’s overall record at 4-3-1 and its conference record now stands at 2-3-1.
Sophomore swimmer Maria Alvarez, fresh off of breaking her own school record in the 1000 yard freestyle, broke the record again with a time of 10:08.80.
Alvarez said she has been thrilled with her success in the pool this season.
“It’s so amazing for me every time I break my own record,” Alvarez said. “I’m so happy with my times right now and I hope it keeps going like that.”
Sybesma was quick to praise his record-breaking swimmer.
“Maria keeps getting better and better and she works hard,” he said. “She’s got a bright bright future here.”
The men’s team’s two new swimmers, freshmen Laszlo Gyurko and Friedrich Grott, experienced their first home meet since joining the squad.
Teammate Edgar Peyro, a sophomore, said the two new swimmers had a great night competing in the pool.
“They’re still getting used to the new environment but they’re great swimmers and I’m sure the will bring a lot more to the team,” Peyro said.
Senior R.J. Hesselberg and sophomore Kyle Callens, both Frog divers, helped contribute to the men’s win over the Utes by finishing first and second in the one and three-meter springboard events.
The Frogs’ next meet is scheduled for Saturday Jan. 17 at home against San Diego State University and Centenary College of Louisiana.
