Mesa State hosted its first ever Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men’s and women’s swimming and diving championships this week. Mesa’s El Pomar Natatorium hosted teams from around the conference to not only try to win the RMAC championships, but it was the last opportunity for athletes to qualify for Nationals.
Mesa had high hopes going into the event. The women’s team finished third overall with 614 points. Despite being in only their second year of existence, the men’s team also finished third overall with 663 points. Both teams finished behind University of Incarnate and Grand Canyon, which placed first and second respectively in the men’s and women’s overall team points. Mesa State set school records in every event except for two.
“We went above and beyond our expectations,” coach Brian Pearson said. “We were fantastic, 90 percent of our swimmers swam lifetime bests. We finished right where we thought we would. The teams that beat us are both ranked in the top 10 nationally. We’re about to be a top 15 program after this weekend and I think that speaks volumes for the school and the athletic department.”
Highlighting the men’s competitions was freshman Brock Martin who was awarded RMAC’s Diver of the Year award as part of his weekend performance. Martin won his first meter dive and placed second in the one meter. Martin is the favorite to win the national title. The men’s 400 freestyle relay team also finished with a third place finish.
The women’s strong showing was highlighted by Jaclyn McMillan’s gold medal showings in the 200 meter back stroke and the 100 meter backstroke. This was the first time that a Mesa State swimmer swept both events. Junior Katie Wedel placed third in the 200 meter backstroke. Pearson is excited with not only the results of the RMAC championships, but what Nationals potentially holds.
“We definitely put all of our eggs into one basket with this weekends championships and we performed fantastically overall,” Pearson said. “Hopefully the national selection process brings with it a lot more of our swimmers. We have over 20 potential B cutters going into nationals. We’ll find out this week.”
It wasn’t just the facility that crowds were left impressed with. The entire event was exciting.
“I think this weekend was a real credit to the Athletic and recreational staff,” Pearson said. “Without all of their effort and professionalism this event wouldn’t have gone as great as it did. This event success is a real credit to the people that made this happen, I’m proud of everyone involved it was really an amazing championship.”
u
chughes@mesastate.edu