Idaho (1-0) women's swimming and diving hits the road for its first conference meet of the season in Flagstaff, AZ, taking on Northern Arizona (0-0).

The Vandals and the Lumberjacks square off Friday, Oct. 21, at 3 p.m. inside Wall Aquatic Center.
 
"We are excited for another opportunity to get up and celebrate the joys of competition," Idaho head coach Mark Sowa said. "Racing in Flagstaff presents some unique challenges in addition to matching up against a very good team. However, it is through challenges that we learn and grow and I truly believe that these athletes are going to enjoy the chance to be together and discover where we are headed as a team. As always, it is a good day to be a Vandal."

ABOUT NORTHERN ARIZONA: NAU heads into the regular season this weekend coming off its ninth consecutive Western Athletic Conference title. In the 2022 WAC Championships, NAU's run was highlighted by six gold medals, five silver, and two bronze to earn the Lumberjacks first place with 770 points. The two programs meet for the first regular season meet since Nov. 9, 2019, where Idaho fell to NAU 172-120. 

IN THE WAC: Idaho has two senior swimmers that hold top-5 times in the Western Athletic Conference rankings. Kaling Phung is fifth in the 50 back with a time of 27.19, while teammate Ani Husaby is currently holding the fourth place spot in the 50 back with a time of 27.07. 

LAST TIME OUT: Idaho women's swimming and diving opened the 2022-23 season by defeating College of Idaho 238-37. The Vandals picked up wins in 15 of the 16 events, including sweeping the top three spots in 12 events. Idaho won two relays and 13 individual events, while 10 different swimmers and divers posted an individual win. Zoe Froh, Ella Haskins and Grace Ruble each won multiple events to help lead the Vandals. Ruble posted wins in the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke in her college debut. Froh picked up wins in the 200-yard butterfly and 200-yard backstroke while Haskins won in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle. Ella Bureau helped lead the Vandals to a victory in the 200-medley relay with a time of 1:49.32 while Kaling Phung anchored the 200-yard free relay (1:39.41).

Hailey Faith and Emily Mack each posted first and second-place finishes in the two diving events. Faith clinched a win in the one-meter to open the meet, posting a score of 255.65 to edge out Mack (252.03). Mack earned her first win of the 2022-23 season in the three-meter, with a 245.15 while Faith followed in second at 241.45.
 
UP NEXT: the Vandals will make their return to the UI Swim Center for its first home meet of the season, taking on Northern Colorado on Friday, Oct 28. at 4 p.m.

Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho swim & dive by visiting GoVandals.com or by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @vandalswim_dive. 

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