Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Wyoming
Rams roll past Wyoming in last dual of season
2/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Feb. 6, 2009
By Sarah Mast
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- CSU swimming and diving came from behind to capture its first win against conference rival Wyoming since the 2005-06 season, outscoring the Cowgirls 174-126.
The Rams (10-4, 6-2 Mountain West) trailed Wyoming (11-4, 3-4) through five events at the dual but managed to capture the lead after juniors Jennifer Muniz and Nora Kennedy took first and second in the 200 Butterfly.
CSU registered its 10th dual win, its most since the team went 10-0 in 2000-01. The 10 wins also tied for the third most in program history. CSU was 11-2 in 1992-93 and 11-0 in 1986-87.
"We got off to kind of a shaky start," said Head Coach John Mattos. "They beat us in the 200 Medley relay, and we thought we were going to win that, but the kids never really let it get to them. They just kept on rolling. We had some great efforts."
Junior Nicole Kelley helped the Rams maintain the lead after landing a first-place finish in the 3-meter diving competition with a personal-best 292.73. Kelley outscored Wyoming junior Stephanie Ortiz, who had not lost on that board in a conference meet this season.
"Nicole's win in the 3-meter was huge," Mattos said. "Stephanie has not been beaten all year. She is the best diver in the conference. It was a huge effort by Nicole, and it made the difference."
The Rams managed to clinch the win after Muniz recorded a personal-best 56.40 seconds in the 100 Butterfly with three events remaining. Muniz also swam a personal best 2:05.29 in the 200 Butterfly, recording another first-place finish for the Rams.
"Jen Muniz's races were huge," Mattos said. "These kids are so strong and so tough and so resilient."
The win moves CSU into second place in the Mountain West Conference, just ahead of Utah (5-1-1). The Utes, whose only conference loss came at CSU Jan. 15, are also in action this weekend, competing against BYU, who is currently undefeated in conference matchups.
The Border War marked the last dual meet of the regular season for the Rams. The Rams will be back in action Feb. 25-28 at the MWC championships in Oklahoma City, Okla.
"We really need to get our rest at this point," Mattos said. "Now we have two-and-a-half weeks to really breathe a sigh of relief and get things together."
