Over the weekend, in its last dual meet of season, the Utah men’s swim and dive team took on USC. Though its graduating seniors celebrated their Senior Day on the final meet in the Ute Natatorium, the team was defeated by the Trojans, 177-123.
“This was a fun meet,” said head coach Joe Dykstra. “Every time we go against USC, it is a great time. I have such an inordinate amount of respect for their team and coaches … This is always a competitive meet and we came up just short on the scoreboard. There were several touch outs but I am pleased with the overall performances. I think we saw some really strong times today and some good diving that will set us up well these next couple weeks for the conference championships.”
Before the meet started, the diving team took to the pool, competing first in the one-meter event. Junior Josiah Purss took first with a score of 371.33. Purss also took first in the three-meter (386.93) event, with teammate senior Jacob Crayne taking second (379.50).
In the first relay, the team of sophomore Paul Ungur, sophomore Jack Burton, senior Kristian Kron and sophomore Sean Bloore took to the pool in the 200-yard medley relay, finishing second behind USC with a 1:29.29.
As the individual races began, senior Bence Király started off strong with a win in the 1000-yard freestyle (9:11.89). He also took first in the 500-yard freestyle (4:28.62), finishing off his last dual meet as a Ute with 16 out of 18 wins total in the 2015-2016 season.
“It was a little emotional today since it was my last dual meet ever,” said Király. “I just wanted to swim well and I think I proved that today. I swam some pretty good times, but I think we all did a good job so I’m happy about today.”
Kron had his moment in the spotlight as well over the weekend, taking first in the 200-yard freestyle. He finished with a 1:39.66 time, marking his first win in this event all season. He also took second behind Király in the 500-yard freestyle with a 4:29.30.
“Today went pretty good,” said Kron. “I had some pretty good swims for myself, but it was the end of the dual meets for me and the team so today was just fun.”
Burton and Bloore took home a couple of second-place finishes later in the meet, with Burton taking the 100- (55.44) and 200-yard breaststroke (2:00.63), and Bloore in the 50- (21.34) and 100-yard freestyle (46.54).
To finish off the individual events for the night, freshman Daniel McArthur took second in the 200-yard backstroke with 1:47.70, as junior teammate Nolan Roger took first in the 400-yard IM (3:58.53).
This week, the diving team will be heading to Federal Way, Wash. with the women’s swim team set to compete at the Pac-12 Championships (Feb. 24-27). The men’s team will take a break until next week, when it will be competing in its own Pac-12 championship meet beginning on March 2.
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