Air Force Academy’s men’s swimming and diving teams concluded their weekend with notable results, securing a 228-150 victory at the Colorado Sprint Championships and seeing a podium finish at the Air Force Diving Invitational.
Prior to competition, the program recognized seniors Louie Body, Danny Detjen, Bridon Rosales, Anthony Sebastian, Camden Swigart, and James Winterfield for their roles in the team.
Diver Brady Nichol achieved third place on the platform event with a score of 336.90, earning qualification for NCAA Zones. Lucas Gerten finished fifth with 311.75 points. Korbin Moyer tied for sixth place with another NCAA Zone qualifying score of 297.15. Vann Hotchkiss placed tenth after scoring 277.65.
The sprint championships featured preliminary heats leading up to finals. Head Coach Rob Clayton said, “The guys swam very well today. We were much better in the small details, winning nearly every close race. This was a huge step forward for the team as we prepare for all the tight finishes we will see at the MPSF Championships.”
In relay action, Dylan Ferguson, Bridon Rosales, Tanner Wilson, and Jordan Falls won the opening 200 medley relay in 1:29.24.
Joe Christ took first in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:37.66; teammates Tyler Surratt and Matthew Doty finished third and fifth respectively. Clayton noted Christ’s performance: “Christ had a sensational win.”
Freshman Matthew Doty won his first-ever 50 backstroke event in 22.78 seconds. “Doty was outstanding in the 50 back…it was a new event for him and he crushed it,” Clayton stated.
Rosales claimed victory in the 50 breaststroke finals at 24.85 seconds; Jacob Duckworth (25.38) and Mack Nuval (25.50) placed third and fourth.
Jordan Falls captured first place in the 50 freestyle finals at 20.22 seconds while Joe Christ finished fourth at 20.80 seconds.
Senior James Winterfield led in the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:49.07; Doty (1:52.70) and Cole Wilson (1:53.40) also finished among the top five.
“Seniors Rosales and Winterfield were outstanding, winning their events at their final home meet,” said Clayton.
In the final session of the meet’s fly event, Winterfield earned second place in the 50 fly finals (21.91), followed by T.Wilson (22.24) and Jonas Dark (22.28).
The Falcons closed out competition with another relay win as T.Wilson, Surratt, Falls, and Christ posted a combined time of 1:21.66 to take first place in the 200 free relay.
“Falls had three wins on the day, bringing the relay from behind to win the medley relay and then he was the fastest split in the pool that led us to win the free relay,” added Clayton.
The Air Force team is set to compete next at Denver First Chance Invitational on February 6-7 at El Pomar Natatorium.
