Upcoming Event: Men's Swimming & Diving versus Alumni Meet on October 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM
10:00 AM
Men's Swimming & Diving
vs Alumni Meet
Friday, February 4
Salt Lake City
6:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
BYU
Utah Swimming & Diving Falls to Rival BYU
2/4/2011 12:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
Feb. 4, 2011
SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah swimming and diving team ended the season by battling in-state and conference rival BYU at Ute Natatorium on Friday night. The Utes also celebrated Senior Night as it was their final home meet before championships. Despite many close finishes and strong races, both Utah men and women were defeated by BYU by scores of 156 -143 and 161-139, respectively.
"This is what the rivalry is all about. We knew we were going to have our hands full on both sides," said head coach Greg Winslow. "The men stepped up and did great."
On the men's side, everything came down to the final 400 free relay. Brent Murray, Bjorn Gunnarsson, Andy Lamb, and Garret Beaman were neck and neck with two BYU relays, finishing microseconds between the two and earning second place (3:05.43). Beaman, Garrett Peterson, Karson Applin, and Brent Murray finished in an even closer second in the first 200 medley relay (1:32.67), only three-hundredths of a second behind the Cougars.
One of the highlight swims of the evening was senior Rick Mason's victory in the 1000 free (9:37.46), where he posted a time only three seconds off of his personal best.
"All of my focus was on putting my best foot forward no matter what," said Mason. "During that 1000, all I could think was `This is my last swim meet. I own this pool. This is my race and I'm not going to let anyone else take it from me at all.' And that was the fastest I've gone in a long time."
Mason also placed second in the 500 free (4:39.02) where Ryan Hansen finished third (4:42.98).
Brent Murray and Gunnarsson took the top two spots in the 50 free with times of 21.13 and 21.32, respectively. In the 100 free, Beaman, Gunnarsson, and Lamb also swept the top three in the 100 free with respective times of 46.46, 46.74, and 47.63.
Other first-place finishes by the Ute men include Eric Murray in the 200 free (1:42.64), Eric Bonicelli in the 200 fly (1:53.77), Applin in the 100 fly (50.14), and Peterson in the 200 breast (2:06.45).
Winslow expressed that it "was great for Garrett to win his last individual event at home." Peterson also placed in second in the 100 breast (58.05).
More strong races for the Utes include second-place finishes by Major Robinson in the 100 back (51.79) and 200 back (1:52.90). Austin Fiascone also placed fourth in the 100 back (53.23), posting a time only a couple tenths of a second behind his personal best. And senior Luke Donohue finished in fourth place in the 100 fly (52.09) to finish his last home meet.
On the boards, Nelson Foo earned the top spot in the 1-meter dive (307.80) as well as runner-up in the 3-meter dive (337.88). Caleb Herrick and Brandon Stoppelmoor placed third in the 1-meter and 3-meter dives, respectively (299.55 and 325.13).
"BYU has a talented women's squad. If I would have told our women at the beginning of the year that we'd challenge the team down south event for event, they wouldn't have believed me," Winslow stated. "But they are in a different place now and we're really excited for conference and what's to come."
The Ute women dominated the relays once again. Traycie Swartz, Samantha Zuch, Hannah Caron and Natalie Edge won the 200 medley relay to kick off the night on a high note (1:43.52). Then Edge, Zuch, Kristina Evans, and Swartz swam the winning 400 free relay to end the evening (3:27.13).
Seniors Edge and Maiya Otsuka both had good races against the Cougars. Edge touched in first place in the 50 free (23.64) and second place in the 200 free (1:53.93) while Ostuka finished first in the 200 breast (2:19.95), second in the 100 breast (1:05.36), and fourth in the 200 IM (2:09.31).
Other wins for the Ute women include Swartz in the 100 back (55.82) and the 100 free (50.90), Zuch in the 500 free (5:04.19), and Caron in the 100 fly (55.43). Caron also took second place in the 200 IM (2:04.20).
There were a few other noteworthy performances by the Ute women. Kayla Buck and Rebecca Bott wrapped up the 1000 free in third and fourth place, respectively (10:51.60 and 10:52.74). Sarah Boylen had a third-place finish in the 100 fly (57.62) while Danielle Caldwell finished third in the 200 back (2:07.74).
Senior Evans pushed past illness to help out the 400 free relay and place fourth in the 50 free as well (24.25).
"I couldn't be happier that my last meet was here with everyone I love," Evans said. "Plus it was against our biggest rival so it was easily our most exciting meet. There's no better way to go out for your last home meet."
Ellis Walters earned the top spot in the 1-meter and 3-meter dives with respective scores of 281.85 and 301.05 while Kwan Ling Yu placed third in the 1-meter (262.95).
For the next couple of weeks, the Ute squad will be resting, training, and not letting this loss get to them.
"If anything, it just makes you a little bit hungrier," Winslow said about being defeated by their ultimate rival. "Our best is to come and they know that. There's no question about our desire and passion. We've got a point to prove in three weeks."
The University of Utah swimming and diving team will next be in action at the Mountain West Conference Championships which are set to take place Feb 23-26 in Oklahoma City.
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