Men’s Swim and Dive Drown Trojans in Season Finale
University of Utah Utes Men’s Swimming and Diving Team performs during a dual meet vs. University of Southern California at the Ute Natatoriam in Salt Lake City on Feb. 23, 2020. (Photo by Abu Asib | The Daily Utah Chronicle)
February 23, 2020
The No. 25 University of Utah men’s swim and dive team finished their regular season strong with a convincing win over the No. 21 USC Trojans.
Utah was dominant throughout the entire evening, winning 12 of the 14 events. The season finale also saw several Utes placing their names in the record books. Andrew Britton and Tyler Klawiter set new Don Reddish pool marks in the 100 breast (54.41) and 1000 free (9:12.59), respectively. Britton double-stamped his name with the 200 medley, where he and the rest of his team matched the pool mark in 1:26.81.
To top off the historic evening, Cooper DeRyk, David Fridlander, Britton and Liam O’Haimhirgin set a new pool standard in the 200 free relay (1:20.08) and won the event for Utah.
Not ones to show mercy, the Utes continued to lay it on the Trojans. Felix Chiun took first in his event of the 100 free (44.77), while Rahiti De Vos coasted to first in the 500 free (4:27.66). Jaek Horner made sure he contributed with a win in the 200 breast (2:02.73). For good measure, Jackson Cunningham was first to finish in the 400 IM (4:03.67).
After the meet, head coach Joe Dykstra was delighted with his team. While talking to Utah Athletics, Dykstra gave much credit to the rigorous training routine as a large part of his team’s success.
“We have made a conscious choice to do more lifting and harder training this season,” he said. “It has affected us in dual meets, but we pulled off slightly as the season comes to a close. I think that preparation has us really popping and looking sharp heading into the Pac-12 Championships.”
With the regular season finished, all focus will be towards the Pac-12 championship. Utah will be a strong contender, entering ranked and with momentum. Should Utah show up with the intensity and detail of recent meets, they will be a contender in the pool.
Utah will have a short recovery period, as the Pac-12 Championship begins this Wednesday, Feb. 26 for divers and on March 4 for swimmers. With a proven season and a tremendous final showing, there is a high level of interest and excitement as the Utes prepare to hit the water.
