The men’s and women’s swimming teams hosted the Mesa State College InterMountain Shoot out in a double-dual format. The women split their duals as they beat Adams State 307-53, but lost to Northern Colorado 216-155. The men also beat Adams State in one of their duals, winning 314-27. Mesa lost to Division I schools Air Force 284-87 and Utah 302-68. Northern Colorado won the women’s races and Air Force won the men’s races.
The women’s side was highlighted by the times of Kelly Hogan, Allison Freund and Gina Panacci. The three finished first, second and third, respectively, in the 200 yard freestyle. Hogan and Panacci also teamed up for two second place finishes in the 400 yard freestyle relay and the 200 yard freestyle relay.
“It’s very important for us to get off to a good start,” Hogan said. “A lot of us girls are trying to make nationals this year. I’m very impressed with the girls this year. I feel like we are going to do very well this year.”
Katie Wedel also contributed with a first place finish in the 1650 yard freestyle and the 200 yard butterfly and a second place finish in the 400 yard IM. Panacci got the best of teammate Hogan in the 500 yard freestyle, finishing first and second, respectively. Hogan won the 100 yard freesProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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Wedel, Panacci and Freund to win the 800 yard freestyle relay.
“Wedel, Hogan and Panacci all did great this meet,” coach Brian Pearson said. “They performed stellar and really add to the depth of the team.”
The men were led by Alejandro Hernandez as he was the first Maverick to cross the finish line in most individual races that he was in. Hernandez finished fourth in the 400 yard IM, seventh in the 200 yard butterfly and seventh in the 200 yard IM. Andy Gibbons and Kent Stavrakas also had a pair of top five finishes.
“The guys were very strong,” Pearson said. “The way they competed against top-20 teams speaks volumes of where we are so far this year. They are light-years ahead of where they were last year. They’re having more fun, they’re more responsible. I definitely have less gray hair this year.”
In the second year of the El Pomar Natatorium, it has already brought in some elite completion. Air Force, Utah and Northern Colorado competed in the shootout, and they are all Division I schools. “Only nine months built and it’s a top three facility in Division II and top 30 overall in the NCAA,” Pearson said. “It definitely brings bigger schools in, but more importantly it definitely sells the school and gives us a home.”
The men and women go on the road this weekend as they travel to Laramie, Wyo. Friday to face off against the Cowboys and then compete in the DU Relays Saturday at Denver University. With the results of both teams early in the season, expectations have grown from week to week.
“We are a lot better put together this year,” Scott Strehlow said. “We have a lot more depth and we have better individual talent. The chemistry is great and I think we are going to do great all around.”

ahimes@mesastate.edu