Women's Swimming and Diving | 01/26/2019

MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho women's swimming and diving swept a tri-dual Saturday, picking up victories against Grand Canyon and Simon Fraser in the final home meet of the season at the U of I Swim Center. The Vandals (3-6) defeated the Antelopes 174-125 for their first victory over a Western Athletic Conference opponent this year. They knocked off the Clan 187-105.
 
"It was nice to send the seniors out with a couple wins," said head coach Mark Sowa. "It was really good to see a couple of kids come around. It's been a long three weeks and we saw some signs of life. I was very impressed with the energy and I think they did a good job of keeping the emotions in check."
 
On a day the Vandals celebrated their seniors, freshman Katie Hale offered a glimpse at the future. Hale won three individual events and led off a winning relay. She cruised to victory in the 100-yard backstroke and the 50-yard freestyle. The Park City, Utah, native then came from behind to win the 200-yard backstroke thanks in large part to a strong underwater on her final turn.
 
"That was exciting," said Sowa. "Katie's figuring out her underwaters. She's still learning some of the events but she's a very, very poised competitor so it's fun to watch. The kid has some upside, and we're pretty happy with where she's at."
 
Hale opened the meet with the fastest leadoff leg of the 200-yard medley relay, which the Vandals held on to win thanks to fellow freshman Natalie Crocker's anchor. Hale led off in 26.37, a faster split than Idaho has posted in the last three conference championship meets.
 
Not to be outdone, seniors Leah Fisk and Janelle Lucas made the most of their final home meet. Fisk won twice individually and Lucas won the 1-meter diving event with a career-best 305.75, the second-highest score in program history.
 
"What's exciting about Janelle's performance is that 1-meter is her weakest board," Sowa said. "As she gets higher up, she gets better and better. For her to figure out 1-meter like that, it just bodes well for the other two boards. I think she's going to be in the mix on all three of them at WAC."
 
Fisk won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:51.86, shaving three seconds off her winning time from last weekend. She has won the 200 freestyle in five consecutive dual meets. The defending WAC champion in the 200 also picked up a win in the 100-yard freestyle, clocking a 52.19. Fisk added a runner-up showing in the 100-yard breaststroke.
 
Idaho honored 11 seniors prior to the meet. This class has led the Vandal program to new heights in its four years together. Idaho has finished third at the last two WAC Championships, matching the best team finish at a conference meet in school history. Individually, Lucas is a three-time WAC champion on the platform and Fisk claimed the 200-yard freestyle crown last year.
 
The Vandals will close the regular season with a split squad effort. The swimmers will head to Oregon State and the divers will get an opportunity to train and compete platform, in addition to the springboard events, at the Lumberjack Spring Diving Invitational in Flagstaff, Ariz. The WAC Championships will take place Feb. 27-March 2, in Houston.