The University of Idaho Swim Center hosted the last dual meet of the 2020-2021 swim and dive season last Saturday. The swim team won the meet against Dixie State Trailblazers, 178-110.
After the meet, junior swimmer Katie Hale, who is graduating early and competing in her final season, earned Western Athletic Conference Swimmer honors after four wins Saturday. Sophomore diver Allison Shimp earned WAC Diver honors after winning both diving competitions over the weekend.
The meet kicked off with the 200-yard medley relay. UI’s A-team, which is made up of freshman Ani Husaby, sophomore Holly Kier, Katie Hale and sophomore Rylie Jones, won the event with a time of 1:44.89. The medley relay was followed by the 1,000-yard freestyle with Trailblazer Akalia Bostock taking the win for the race.
Jones finished first in the 200-yard freestyle race, with fellow teammate Zoe Froh and Dixie State swimmer Gabrielle Adams maintaining a close gap behind her. Jones bested her previous season’s time of 1:54.99, replacing it with a 1:54.48.
During the 100-yard backstroke, sophomore swimmer Kaling Phung pulled out the lead after the first 50 yards. Kaling finished first, with sophomore Ryanne Bartolome close behind. Dixie State’s Haley Altman won the 100-yard breaststroke. Altman kept a distant lead against the other swimmers throughout the race.
Keir dominated the 200-yard butterfly, keeping a steady lead throughout the whole race. The 50-yard freestyle showcased Hale winning the sprint in 23.24 seconds. The current Vandal record for 50-yard free is 23.08. Hale finished her individual events by winning the 100-yard free.
Kaling won the 200-yard backstroke with teammates Haylee Buyers and Husaby trailing closely behind. Dixie State’s Kathryn Carter and Keir kept a close race in the 200-yard breaststroke, with Carter eventually overtaking Keir in the last 25 yards.
From finished first in the 500-yard free, pushing 12 seconds between herself and the second finisher. The 100-yard fly was a close call at the end, with Dixie State’s Kyrie Sutherland winning the race in 56.62 seconds, barely edging out Jones who finished in 56.69 seconds.
The 200-yard individual medley had the Trailblazer’s Bostock in first place. The final race of the meet was the 200-yard freestyle relay. Idaho’s A-team finished first, with Dixie State’s A-team trailing closely behind.
UI head coach Mark Sowa said he prioritized making sure that the swimmers are properly rested and focused leading into the WAC Championships. The swim championships take place Feb. 17-20 in St. George, Utah. Dive championships will be in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Feb. 25-27.
Sierra Pesnell can be reached at [email protected]