Utah’s Women’s Divers Win Team Event on Day One of Pac-12 Championships – University of Utah Athletics – Utah Athletics

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – The University of Utah swimming and diving team got the 2024 Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships underway by competing in four events, including the women’s team diving event where the Utes took first-place on Wednesday inside the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash.
 
On the Boards
The final event of the evening proved to be one where the Utes excelled the most, posting a score of 338.00, the highest in program history in a team competition, allowing them to best four other clubs and land atop the leaderboard. Holly Waxman handled the 105b on the 1m and the 205b on the 3m, Emilia Nilsson Garip was tasked with executing the 305c 1m and 405b from the 3m, while Kathryn Grant handled both 10m dives, the 624b and 5253b and it was her last effort that secured the top spot for Utah.
 
“Our women were incredible tonight,” said head diving coach Richard Marschner, “and it makes me really excited about the rest of the meet. Holly, Kat and Emilia were in a tight battle with UCLA and it came down to the final dive. Kat came through big time and did one of her better twisters that I’ve seen her do. These ladies are ready to roll and I think we’re set up for a fantastic meet.”
 
The first diving competition on the docket was the men’s 1m and Elias Petersen was one of those who competed. The sophomore posted a score of 294.35 to take ninth place with two more events on the docket over the next two days.
 
“Elias was a little off today,” said Marschner, “and he came up just short of the final. However, I’m encouraged by his mindset and I know he’ll bounce back tomorrow with a strong 3m event.”
 
In the Pool
Utah swimmers began a fast day in the pool with Norah Hay, Erin Palmer, Kim Lanaghen and Reagan Cathcart taking part in the 200 medley relay and finishing in 1:40.30. Summer Stanfield, Isabella Riso, Lily Milner and Cameron Daniell then teamed up in the 800 free relay and recorded a mark of 7:14.56, a significant improvement on Utah’s 2023 mark in that race.
 
“I think today was a great day,” said coach Jonas Persson. “We haven’t been that fast in the 800 free relay in more than 10 years and we improved by five seconds from last year. A lot of personal bests and a lot of best relay splits today. Even our 200 medley relay was really fast and a season-best. You could see and feel the excitement of the girls today, so they were a little bit too eager in their swims but those are easy improvements that we can make for the rest of the week. I am very optimistic for the three days to come.”
 
Utah has 92 points after day one, placing them in sixth.
 
In the Pool
Friday’s schedule starts with the 500 free, 200 IM and 50 free prelims at 10:30 a.m and it will include finals in those three events, as well as the women’s 1m and men’s 3m.
 
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