Sports Reporter
Photo by: Millie Schreibman
spmcmanus@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
Silence is the sound you hear before a single beep, the sign to jump in the water and swim faster than you thought you ever could. This is the feeling that our Maverick swim and dive teams experienced this weekend, but this meet was more than just ordinary. It was the RMAC Championship.
Times from this meet would determine who would continue the season and go on to Nationals in Birmingham, Ala.
Many participants had impressive performances last week, including Mehdi El Hazzaz, who set the RMAC record for the Men’s 200 Freestyle in his qualifying round. He followed up the accomplishment by taking third place in the final. While the third place finish was not exactly what the Morocco native was looking for, his record-setting time was sufficient to qualify the first-year swimmer for the national competition in two weeks.
“I hoped to do better,” El Hazzaz said. “But I will improve in practice so I get better for the competition at Nationals.”
The men’s swim team ended its meet ranked second behind Grand Canyon University. GCU came into its final RMAC tournament looking to notch another first place finish before making the move to D1.
Coach Ron Allen made it clear in the weeks leading up to the meet that he had high expectations for his team. With multiple final-qualifying times and divers beating out the competition with medal-worthy dives, fans were treated to an impressive finish.
“It was really cool to see so many talented swimmers compete here,” freshman Kassie Perkins, one of the many students watching the event, said. “It was almost like our own version of the Olympics. The energy in [El Pomar Natatorium] is incredible.”
Sophomore diver Amanda Jennings took second place in both the one-meter and three-meter diving competitions just behind University of the Incarnate Word’s Kali Lents. Finishing third behind Jennings was CMU sophomore Savannah Craft, earning her spot on the podium as well.
The women’s swim and dive team pulled together to earn the team ranking of second place as well, beating last year’s third place finish. Grand Canyon University once again took the top spot.
The coaches showed a passion to push their swimmers to do their very best, culminating with Allen being named Coach of the Year at the end of the meet. He made it clear that the award would not have been possible without his team and other coaches.
“That’s a team award,” Allen said. “Coach of the year comes from putting everything together. A lot of that comes from my assistants and inheriting a great group of performers.”
Not to be outdone by his coach, All-American Brock Martin won both Diver of the Meet and Diver of the Year. Martin took first place in both the one-meter and three-meter diving competitions. With two first-place finishes, Martin will continue his season in Birmingham at Nationals March 6-9.
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