HOUSTON, Texas (February 23, 2022) - NAU Swimming and Diving started off the 2022 Western Athletic Conference Championships with a gold medal in the 1-meter diving, and a silver medal in the 800 freestyle relay.
The WAC Championships kicked off with 1-meter diving, with NAU advancing four of six divers to the finals. Victoria Knapp sat on top of the prelims in first place, followed by teammates Emily Luberto in fifth, Maegan Jensen in seventh, Makenna Sammons in eighth, Reaney Preston in 11th, and Alyssa Jones in 12th.
Preston and Jones continued on into consolations, where Jones placed first with a score of 252.00 and Preston placed sixth with a score of 225.35.
Knapp earned herself gold in the 1m finals, for a second consecutive season, placing first with a score of 280.50. Luberto came in fourth at 258.45, Jensen in sixth at 244.25, and Sammons in seventh at 240.85.
The swimmers competed in both the 200 medley relay, as well as the 800 freestyle relay. Earning a silver medal for the team was Helena Robla-Alvarez, Katy Smith, Maddy Rey, and Annie Carlton in the 800 free relay. The relay team finished with a time of 7:17.70, marking a school record in the event.
"Our divers were really good today with four in the top eight, and the reason we are in the lead. The medley relay was solid and the 800 free set a school record, coming up just short of the victory by .02 seconds. There were some really great splits all around for those relay swimmers. Lots of racing and diving to come over the next six sessions, but overall a great start," Head Coach Andy Johns said.
The 'Jacks will be back in action at the WAC Championships tomorrow for events in the 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 3m diving, and the 200 freestyle relay. Prelims for all swimming events, excluding the relay, will begin at 9:30 a.m. MST, followed by 3m prelims that will begin at 12:15 p.m. MST. The finals will start at 5 p.m. MST, where the 200 free relay will kick things off.
Team Scores
Northern Arizona - 136
Grand Canyon - 103
Idaho - 88
New Mexico State - 71
Dixie State - 54
Cal Baptist - 53
Seattle - 48
Northern Colorado - 30
