The University of Denver swimming and diving teams open the spring season hosting BYU (M/W) and University of New Mexico (W) Friday and Wyoming (M/W) Saturday at El Pomar Natatorium.
“This is going to be a great weekend of competition for us,” head swimming coach Brian Schrader said. “Both events will be great dual meets to watch with some fast swimming on both sides for men and women. Both BYU and Wyoming edged our men at the MPSF meet last year and both teams edged us in head to head competition. I think we have some motivation to see if we can turn the table and swimming at home will be an advantage for our teams. We match up well against both BYU and Wyoming and I hope the team atmosphere brings out the best in our racing.”
The last time Denver faced BYU, the Pioneer men were edged 151-149, while the women fell 156-144. Kyle Milberg (Littleton, Colo.) and Dylan Bunch (Boulder City, Nev.) each tallied a pair of victories on the men’s side. Samantha Corea (Vancouver, British Columbia) led the Pioneer women with three first-place finishes.
“BYU has some great speed,” Schrader said. “We have to counter that with depth and our strength in distance and stroke events.”
DU already encountered Wyoming this season at the Denver Relays event in September. Both Pioneer teams lost narrowly to Wyoming (M-294, W-295) with the women falling by 14 points (281) and the men by eight (286).
“Wyoming brings a great rivalry and some great swimming with Adam Kalm and Morgan Hartigan,” Schrader said. “We hope to counter that with some good team depth and strength in distance events. I am looking for some good upperclassmen leadership, but we need some first year athletes to step up and make a difference.”
This will be the first time Denver swimming and diving faces the University of New Mexico.
Diving starts at 2:00 p.m. MT and swimming starts at 4:00 p.m. MT Friday at El Pomar Natatorium. On Saturday, diving will begin at 10:00 a.m. MT, while swimming will begin at 12:00 p.m. MT.
Follow DU swimming & diving on the web at www.DenverPioneers.com
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This release was provided to SwimSwam courtesy of The University of Denver swimming and diving.
