FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 17, 2019) – Northern Arizona University swimming and diving will head up to Greeley, Colo. for its first Western Athletic Conference meet of the season against the University of Northern Colorado Bears Friday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m. The next day, Saturday, Oct. 19, the Lumberjacks will swim in a double dual meet against Colorado State University and Air Force in Colorado Springs, Colo. starting at 2 p.m.
"We're looking forward to seeing how all of our swimmers perform, especially our newcomers," head coach
Andy Johns said.
Friday will mark NAU's first dual meet of the season after previously holding a pair of intrasquad meets: the Pentathlon, a swimming only event, and the Blue and Gold, a swimming and diving event where the 'Jacks split up evenly to compete against one another.
"We're excited to be racing against somebody other than ourselves," Johns said. "Northern Colorado is a conference opponent and they're good. It'll be a challenge swimming at their pool."
This meet marks Northern Colorado's third of the season. They have competed against Wyoming and New Mexico State. At Wyoming, the Bears fell 176.5-123.5 to the Cowboys, but recovered at New Mexico State, winning 162-132. This is the first time UNC will compete in their home pool.
"We're going see some good competition this weekend from all the teams," diving head coach
Nikki Huffman said. "They're excited to be in their first competition against a rival."
NAU will continue their weekend travel with a double dual meet, competing against both Air Force and Colorado State University. Air Force is 1-1 on the season, earning their first win in a double dual meet against Colorado Mesa 233-116, and a loss to the BYU Cougars 273-117. CSU is 0-1 in their season, falling 98-200 against Denver.
"Air Force and Colorado State are two quality opponents from the Mountain West Conference." Johns said. "Each one of them present a different set of athletes to us."
Last season, NAU swimming and diving won its sixth straight WAC conference championship, earning nine gold medals and breaking four team records, boasting a total of 772.5 points.
Elisa Rodriguez was named the WAC's Women's Swimmer of the Year, breaking two school records in the 50 and 100 freestyle. In the 50 free, she recorded a 22.63 time in the prelims of the WAC Championships and went on to earn her first gold medal. She posted her second individual win and school record time of 48.90 in the 100 free. In addition, head diving coach
Nikki Huffman was honored as Women's Diving Coach of the Year for the fourth year in a row and sixth all-time.
