Record falls in first event of championship

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LONG BEACH, Calif. – The inaugural Mountain Pacific Sports Federation swimming & diving championship started on Wednesday and the Northern Colorado relay teams came out of the gates swinging.

The quartet of Sammy Leonard, Amanda Donegan, Gina Riggle and Jennifer Smith broke the school record in the 200 yard medley relay, combining for a 1:46.15 to finish eighth overall. The team betters the previous record of 1:46.54 from 2007 by Nan Liu, Katie Schmitt, Alexis Glessner and Becca Getz.

"I'm really excited to have the fastest swim in school history," said Head Coach Kelly McClanahan. "It's exciting to start the meet in the first event with a school record."

The 800 medley relay team of Courtney Van Oost, Hannah Halstrom, Kira Alger and Tori Gutt finished seventh overall and narrowly missed the school record after swimming a 7:40.39. The time is the fourth fastest recorded in school history and just two seconds off the all-time record.

Van Oost started the relay with a 1:53.63 in her 200 yards, which is the third-fastest ever at Northern Colorado.

"Courtney just shot out of there like a cannon," said McClanahan. "It was definitely a good swim for us and this is what we've been waiting for all year."

Action continues tomorrow starting with the 500 freestyle at 10:30 am (Pacific).

"The girls had a lot of excitement and nerves and it's always a little shaky the first night," said McClanahan. "But we started strong and you can't ask for a better start. The rest of the team is ready to hop in and get going and see what they can do."