The 2016-17 Houston Swimming & Diving season has reached its crescendo, and the University of Houston is set play host to the 2017 American Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships for the second consecutive year. Competition runs from Wednesday through Saturday at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.
Live video coverage of the regular-season-ending event will be carried on the American Digital Network. Finals coverage begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with the stream beginning at 4:35 p.m. on Saturday as The American broadcasts their senior recognition ceremony.
Houston will be looking to defend six titles after sweeping the diving and the backstroke events along with winning the 500-yard freestyle in the 2016 American Championships. Taylor Olanski won the platform diving title for the third year in a row, making her the 10th Cougar to win four individual conference crowns. Micaela Bouter won the 3-meter diving title last season with a meet record a score of 335.65.
In the pool, sophomore Eleanna Koutsouveli looks to repeat her breakout season in the backstroke events. The Athens, Greece native captured gold in the 100- and 200-yard backstroke while also nabbing a podium finish in the 200-yard IM. Fellow sophomore Hannah Herbst also seeks to replicate her victory in the 500-yard freestyle. With their victories in the lanes, Herbst and Koutsouveli became the first Cougars in six years to win a swimming title.
The Cougars will be looking for their first team conference title this week. Houston has earned five second-place finishes in conference meets, most recently finishing as runner-up at the 2013 Conference USA meet.
RECORD SETTERS
Coming into conference, the Cougars have broken three records this season. Freshman Laura Laderoute now holds two program records. The West Linn, Ore., native set the school record in the 100-yard backstroke (53.93) and the 200-yard IM (2:00.58). Fellow freshman Peyton Kondis broke the 100-yard breaststroke record with a time of 1:01.17. The 400-yard medley relay team of Koutsouveli, Kondis, Sharo Rodriguez and Zarena Brown set the school record with a time of 3:41.44.
FOLLOW THE COUGARS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in University of Houston Cougar athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonAthletics), Twitter (@UHCougars), Instagram (houstoncougars) and YouTube.com (Youtube.com/UHAthletics). In addition, the swimming & diving team has established its own official Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonCougarSwimmingDiving) and Twitter pages (@UHCougarSwim), which provide regular updates on the team and live results during home meets.
News courtesy of Houston Athletics.
