HOUSTON, Texas (February 24, 2022) - The Northern Arizona Swimming and Diving team extended their momentum in day two of the Western Athletic Conference Championships with one gold medal, in addition to two silver medals.
Adding the three medals gave the Lumberjacks a total of five medals through two days of competition, putting the 'Jacks in the lead with 316 points total. NAU leads the WAC Championships through day two, with Grand Canyon University trailing in second with 285 points and Cal Baptist University in third with 187 points.
"We only gave up two points from yesterday and managed the sprint relay and the 50 as best as we could. Diving and distance were outstanding and are keeping us atop the leaderboard," Head Coach Andy Johns said. "There were great individual medley swims also with Haley Mayhew in the top five all time."
The Lumberjacks totaled four swimmers out of eight in the 500 free finals, highlighting a gold and silver medal in the event. Sophomore Maddy Rey wrote her name in the record books as a WAC Champion, finishing first at 4:49.17, marking her top time of the season. Freshman Casey Craffey came in right behind Rey for second place, and a new top time in the event, at 4:49.68.
Earning the Lumberjacks points in the 200 IM finals, Mayhew and Anslee Dickerson finished 4th and 8th respectively, both finishing with personal top times in the event. Mayhew finished the race at 2:01.91, close to three seconds ahead of her previous record in the event, which was set at last years WAC Championships. Dickerson, in her first ever conference championships as a freshman, came in at 2:05.67.
In a tough 50 free finals, with everyone in the 'A' and 'B' heats finishing within less than two seconds of one another, Sophie Velitchkov placed 16th for the 'Jacks at 24.00. Velitchkov earned her top time in the event, which previously sat at 24.13.
Day two wrapped up with 3-meter finals, where the 'Jacks place 2nd, 5th, and 6th. Victoria Knapp added a silver medal to her WAC resume, finishing with a score of 296.50, beating last year's score of 295.50 in the event. Maegan Jensen competed in her first 3m finals in the WAC championships, placing fifth with a score of 277.35. Reaney Preston came in sixth, with a final score of 268.95, beating out her score in the event at last year's championships by .05.
"Tomorrow we start the stroke events and it's going to be a very important morning session to claim some top 16 place," Johns said.
The WAC Championships will continue tomorrow morning with prelims beginning at 9:30 a.m. MST. Tomorrow's events will include the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, and will conclude with the 400 medley relay.
Team Scores
Northern Arizona - 316
Grand Canyon - 285
Cal Baptist - 187
New Mexico State - 177
Northern Colorado - 159
Idaho - 152
Dixie State - 82
Seattle - 81
