2022 Mountain West Champs: San Diego State Sweeps Day 1 Relays

2022 MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Wednesday, February 16 – Saturday, February 19, 2022
• Texas A&M Natatorium-College Station, Texas
• Defending Champion: UNLV (1x)
• Live Results
• Live Video
• Estimated Timeline
• Pre-Scratch Psych Sheets
• Championships Central
• Live Results

DAY 1 RESULTS

Team Scores

1. Nevada – 236
2. San Diego State – 228
3. Wyoming – 153
4. Fresno State – 144
5. Colorado State – 115
6. UNLV – 104
7. New Mexico – 103
8. Air Force – 99
9. San Jose State – 88

After winning the Mountain West title in epic fashion last year, defending champions UNLV have some work to do going forward after starting out in 6th place on night 1. The Rebels got off to a good start, very nearly completing a comeback in the 200 medley. Kristina Schneider, the hero of the 400 free relay last year, anchored the medley in a speedy 21.90, but ultimately fell just short, touching 0.21 seconds behind San Diego State.

The Aztecs were led off by Klara Thormalm in 25.14, and was followed by Samantha Geyer in 26.72, then Cassandra Phillips with a 23.52 fly split, and Elizabeth Menzmer anchored in 22.33. SDSU finished in 1:37.71, marking the #6 time in conference history.

Another notable split on the 200 medley relay came from UNLV’s Katsiaryna Afanasyeva, who led her team off with a very quick 24.73 backstroke split.

San Diego State also went on to win the 800 free relay, clocking a 7:14.32. Wyoming got out to the early lead, thanks to a 1:47.68 lead-off leg from Katelyn Blattner, but SDSU quickly took over the lead during the middle two legs. For the Aztecs, Mia Ryan (1:48.48) led off, Wilma Johansson (1:48.07) went 2nd, Kristina Murphy (1:48.47) swam 3rd, and Meredith Smithbaker (1:49.30) anchored. Wyoming finished 2nd in 7:16.54, and Nevada was 3rd with a 7:16.57.

Nevada holds the lead going into day 2 thanks in large part to diving yester. In 1-meter, Bailey Heydra won with a score of 240.10, and the Wolfpack also finished 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 8th.