University of Wyoming Athletic News

University of Wyoming Athletic News

Cowgirls Capture Win Over New Mexico

Coonce posts top-10 in 100 fly to help secure second victory

 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Wyoming earned a strong victory over Mountain West rival New Mexico on Saturday afternoon.  

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After the win yesterday against New Mexico State, the Cowgirl swimming and diving team picked up their second victory of the weekend by defeating the Lobos, 170-130 at Seidler Natatorium in Albuquerque, N.M.

“I was very pleased with how the women responded to the challenge today. We struggled in the first half of the meet, but we had great senior leadership and captains that finished with a tremendous second half. The divers once again did well today and we put a lot of heat on the 400 free relay, which had a great swim to help us win it.” – UW Head Coach Tom Johnson.

The Lobos opened the meet by winning the first three events before Abby Sullivan won the 100 backstroke for the Cowgirls. She earned the victory with a time of 56.48. Molly Coonce won her first individual event on the weekend in the 200 butterfly.

Coonce recorded a final mark of 2:05.57. She also posted the seventh best time in school history by winning the 100 butterfly with a time of 55.62 against the Lobos.

Halfway through the dual meet, sophomore Keely Bishop won the first of three-consecutive events for the Cowgirls as she claimed the top spot in the 3-meter diving competition. She finished with a score of 296.85, while teammate Kari Campbell took second place before she claimed the 1-meter diving event.

Campbell posted a top score of 263.63 in the 1-meter. Emily Ridout continued her successful weekend by taking first place in the 100 freestyle with a final time of 51.91. Emily Stevens won the 200 backstroke by finishing just before Sullivan. Stevens claimed the victory with a 2:03.67 time.

Emily Stucky brought home a first place finish in the 200 IM with a final mark of 2:08.31. Coonce placed second in the event with a time of 2:09.80. Wyoming ended the dual on a high note and brought home its final victory by winning the 400 freestyle relay. A team made up of Samantha Burke, Sarae Dydo, Sullivan and Ridout finished with a time of 3:30.17 for the Cowgirls.

The Cowgirls will return to action next week in Flagstaff, Ariz., to compete against Northern Arizona and Louisiana State.

 

Cowgirl Swimming and Diving Takes Down New Mexico State

The Wyoming women’s swimming and diving team recorded 10 first-place finishes against New Mexico State on Friday afternoon. The Cowgirls came away with the victory by a score of 178-122 at the NMSU Swimming and Diving Complex.

“We have improved a lot from the Brown and Gold and the DU Relays earlier this month,” UW head coach Tom Johnson said. “We still have a few holes that we’ll deal with, but for the most part I thought we raced and swam well today. We had a number of individuals that posted great times for us. Emily (Ridout) seemed to do well in every event and Samantha (Burke) had a breakout meet as a freshman, she looked great and had an outstanding day.”

To open the meet, UW won the 400 medley relay with a team of Abby Sullivan, Emily Ridout, Molly Coonce and Danielle Badger. They claimed UW’s first event with a time of 3:51.64.

Nicole Hlavacek brought home her first of two victories in the second event of the dual. She won the 1,000 freestyle with a mark of 10:37.97 and then also the 500 freestyle with a final time of 5:10.79.

Along with the 400 medley relay win, Sullivan won two other events for Wyoming. She won the 100 backstroke with a mark of 57.29 and the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:05.38. Ridout won four total events, two of which were a part of relays for the Cowgirls on the afternoon.

Her first title came in the 100 breaststroke with a final time of 1:04.62. With a mark of 52.82, she claimed the 100 freestyle as well. She opened up the 200 freestyle relay that claimed first place with a time of 1:30.55. Ridout was joined in the 200 freestyle relay with Burke, Sarae Dydo and Emily Stucky.

Burke also won the 50 freestyle, as Dydo came in a close second. Burke finished with a time of 24.17, while Dydo posted a 24.58. Sophomore Keely Bishop claimed first place in the 1-meter diving event with a score of 271.05. She also placed third in the 3-meter competition, as Kari Campbell took third in the 1-meter.

 

 

 

 

2015 Cowboy Joe Club Auction Sets Record, Raising $418,000

Sold Out Event Draws 640 Cowboy and Cowgirl Fans

LARAMIE – The 29th Annual Cowboy Joe Club Auction sponsored by Infinity Power and Controls and held on Oct. 16 at Little America Hotel & Resort in Cheyenne set a new revenue record of $418,000 raised for Wyoming Athletics.

Nearly 400 Wyoming Cowboy and Cowgirl student-athlete scholarships will benefit directly from the revenue raised from this event. Proceeds are matched by the State of Wyoming in their commitment to Wyoming Athletics.

“What an incredible night we had in Cheyenne last Friday,” said Mark Depew, Former Cowboy Joe Club President and Auction Chairman.  “The amount of support we receive from our volunteers, fans and donors for this event is just remarkable.  Furthermore, I thought the energy level in that venue was exceptional this year with the UW marching band, Pistol Pete and the cheer and dance team all entertaining our guests.”

“The fact that the State of Wyoming is matching our fundraising efforts dollar for dollar is unprecedented. This is truly having a significant impact on our Athletics program at the University of Wyoming.  We can’t thank the state legislators enough for their support and commitment to this matching gift program.” – Randy Welniak, Senior Associate Athletics Director.

The annual auction, historically the Club’s single-most successful fundraising event of the year, sold out a month before the event occurred, with 640 Cowboy and Cowgirl fans in attendance.  The evening included a silent auction, dinner and live auction with over 30 items.

Kevin McKinney, Senior Associate Athletics Director, served as emcee, while Lex Madden served as auctioneer during the live auction.

Final auction revenue will be announced at the Cowboy Football game versus Colorado State when the annual Laramie GM Auto & Infinity Power and Controls car raffle concludes. Tickets for the car raffle are still available through the Cowboy Joe Club Offices.

The 30th Annual Cowboy Joe Auction will take place next fall in Cheyenne.

 

 

 

 

Fall Season Wrapped Up at Rainbow Wahine Invite

WAHIAWA, Hawaii – Sophomore Gabrielle Gibson cracked the top-15 for the second-consecutive tournament posting a 54-hole total of 221 (+5) to lead the Cowgirl golf team at the Rainbow Wahine Invitational.

She ended the tournament in 11th place after shooting a final-round 72 (E) at the Leilehua Golf Course in Wahiawa, Hawai’i. It marks Gibson’s third career top-15 finish as a Cowgirl.

As a team, the Cowgirls placed 12th in the 14-team field with a final score of 932 (+68). They recorded a 306 (+18) during Tuesday’s opening round, a 319 (+35) on Wednesday and capped off the tournament with a 307 (+17).

UW finished the Rainbow Wahine Invitational with its third-best team score of the fall season. The fall’s lowest team score came at  the DU Ron Moore Intercollegiate when the Cowgirls fired a 54-hole score with an 892 (+28).

“I am very proud of the comeback and resilience the girls showed today.  Unfortunately, one round left us with a large deficit to overcome. This fall has shown a lot of promise with only two poor rounds out of 12.” – UW Head Golf Coach Josey Stender

“Gabrielle’s consistent performance this fall has been important for our success. Back-to-back top-15 finishes in this level of competition is something to be very proud of,” Stender continued. “This is a young team with tremendous upside. I’m excited for what is to come with a productive off season.”

Megan Knadler finished the tournament tied for 45th. She shot a 78 (+6) on Thursday and finished with a total score of 234 (+18). Her sister, Kaylee finished two strokes back with a three-round total of 236 (+20), after she fired a 77 (+5) during the final round.

Taylor Dorans capped the tournament off with an 80 (+8), while Klara Castillo hit an 84 (+12) on Thursday. Dorans finished 71st with a total score of 242 (+26), while Castillo came in at 76th with a mark of 245 (+29).

The Cowgirls will return to course Feb. 20-22, 2016 at the Grand Canyon Invitational in Litchfield Park, Ariz.

 

Wyoming Results

T11: Gabrielle Gibson: 70 (-2) – 79 (+7) – 72 (E)

T45: Megan Knadler: 80 (+8) – 76 (+4) – 78 (+6)

T55: Kaylee Knadler: 77 (+5) – 82 (+10) – 77 (+5)

71: Taylor Dorans: 80 (+8) – 82 (+10) – 80 (+8)

76: Klara Castillo: 79 (+7) – 82 (+10) – 84 (+12)