DENVER – Wyoming swimming and diving concluded its double-dual against Denver and Minnesota on Saturday afternoon at the El Pomar Natatorium in Denver, Colo. The Cowboys fell to Minnesota, 219.5-95.5, and #24 Denver by a score of 218-97. The Cowgirls lost to Denver, 227-88, and #16 Minnesota, 225-90.
Two Cowboy swimmers earned victories on the second day of competition. Junior Wade Nelson won the 400 individual medley with a time of 4:02.02. Senior Gabe Rooker matched Nelson’s effort in the 200 breaststroke, recording a top time of 1:59.77 and breaking the pool record. Freshman Daniela Luna Rocha continued her successful weekend with a win in the 500 freestyle for the Cowgirls. Her time of 5:01.70 was a whole four seconds faster than the competition.
“Today was better, we got together before the meet and talked things out,” UW head coach Tom Johnson said. “Daniela [Luna Rocha] swam a fantastic 500 freestyle, especially at altitude. Gabe [Rooker] set a pool record in the 200 breaststroke and beat out a field that included an Olympic trials finalist. I’m really pleased with how the divers did this weekend, they were super competitive. The Minnesota divers are real competitors and I’m super proud of the way those kids competed this weekend.
Freshman standouts led the way on the boards for Wyoming. Karla Contreras placed first in the 3-meter event yesterday with a score of 312.50, and wrapped up the weekend with a second-place finish in the 1-meter, scoring a 284.05. Scotia Mullin represented the Cowboys with a top score in the 3-meter (351.95) and a second-place score on the 1-meter (299.35).
The Cowgirls return to the pool for their last home meet of the season on Friday, Jan. 20. The dual against Boise State will take place at Laramie High School and is slated to begin at 5 p.m. MT.
Day One
Wyoming swimming and diving wrapped up the first half a double-dual against Denver and Minnesota on Friday evening at the El Pomar Natatorium in Denver, Colo. The Cowboys trail Minnesota, 125.5-41.5, and Denver by a score of 118-49. The Cowgirls are currently behind against Denver, 124-43, and Minnesota, 118-49.
Gabe Rooker notched Friday’s only victory for the Cowboys, clocking in at 54.59 in the 100 breaststroke. Rooker finished the first 50 yards of the race two-tenths of a second behind the lead, but swam the second leg more than half a second faster than any other competitor to claim the win. It’s Rooker’s second victory in the 100 breaststroke in less than a week after last Saturday’s pool-record race against Mines.
Freshman Daniela Luna Rocha stepped up for the Cowgirls, placing second in the 1000 freestyle with a time of 10:19.32. The Tijuana, Mexico native finished more than six seconds faster than the third-place competitor.
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