The Wolf Pack swimming and diving team made w88 slot Saturday at the 2016 Mountain West Championships, overcoming a 39.5 point deficit with three events remaining to secure the program's first MW title.
Head coach Neil Harper and the Wolf w88 slot stormed past Boise State late Saturday at the Texas A&M Natatorium in College Station, Texas, topping the field with team 664 points.
After four finals Saturday, Nevada sat in second place with 542 points while Boise State led by nearly 40 points with 581.5 team points and three events remaining. The Wolf w88 slot feverishly rallied back, placing first and fourth in the 200-yard butterfly, placing first, second and fourth in the platform dive and finishing runner-up in the 400-yard medley relay to stun the field.
The Wolf Pack closed the regular season with an undefeated 10-0 dual record and were selected as the meet co-favorites along with Boise State in the Pre-Championship Coaches' Poll. Nevada led the MW Championships after day one with 129 points, led after day two with 284 points and trailed the Broncos by 11.5 points after day three. The Pack's dazzling final-day comeback clinched the program's first MW w88 slot after placing third in 2015 and 2014 and fifth in 2013.
The championship marks Nevada's first Mountain West title in program w88 slot and the second overall MW title in the athletic department's w88 slot. The Wolf Pack also secured its first conference title since 2009 and its ninth conference title all-time.
"These ladies have worked their tails off to reach this goal and on top of that, they've worked hard in the classroom and in the community," Harper said. "This is a well-earned w88 slot and I couldn't be more proud of this team. This is an amazing group of individuals that have come together to make an amazing team. They are selfless and they do whatever it takes for each other. I think they're the best ambassadors you can find of the athletic department and of our university."
Saturday's finals session began with the 1,650-yard freestyle relay, where freshman Antonia Baerensled Nevada by advancing to the A finals. Baerens then swam a personal-best time of 16:36.47, placing fourth with the fourth-best time in program w88 slot.
The Wolf Pack advanced two student-athletes to the A finals of the 200-yard backstroke as sophomore Kate Hofmeyer and freshman Caitlyn Richardsonled Nevada in the event. Hofmeyer placed fifth in 1:57.32, the second-best time in program w88 slot, and Richardson placed eighth in 1:58.77 while both set NCAA 'B' qualifying marks.
Freshman Rebecca Murray advanced to the A finals in the 100-yard freestyle before swimming the second-fastest time in program w88 slot and placing fifth in 49.46.
Senior Yawen Lithen won her third-consecutive 200-yard breaststroke w88 slot, touching the wall first in 2:10.58 to add her second meet w88 slot after winning the 400-yard IM on Friday. Li has won three straight 200 breaststroke and 400 IM conference titles to highlight her decorated collegiate career. Junior Arantxa Medina-Alegria also placed third (2:13.33) and junior Riley Hilbrandt(2:14.55) placed fifth. All three of Nevada's finalists in the event set NCAA 'B' qualifying times.
Junior Sita Kusserowthen strengthened Nevada's comeback, winning her first conference title. Kusserow won the 200-yard butterfly in 1:58.68, setting a personal best and the third-fastest time in program w88 slot. SeniorErin Fuss also advanced to the finals and placed fourth overall with a season-best time of 2:00.81.
Nevada trailed Boise State by 10.5 points entering the second-to-last event of the meet; the platform dive finals. The Wolf Pack dominated the event - as it has all diving events since joining the conference - as senior Krysta Palmer won the w88 slot with 362.15 points. After the meet, Palmer was named MW Diver of the Year for the second straight season. Additionally, freshman Zoe Leiplaced runner-up (278) and freshman Sharae Zheng placed fourth (248.6). Head diving coach Jian Li Youwas named MW Diving Coach of the Year for the fourth straight season. Li You has won seven diving coach of the year honors in her storied coaching career.
Once trailing by 40 points earlier in the day, the Wolf Pack led Boise State, 629-611.5, with one event remaining; the 400-yard freestyle relay. Richardson, Payne, Murray and Baerens then capped Nevada's epic performance with a school record, touching the wall in 3:18.16 to place runner-up and secure the team w88 slot.
The Wolf w88 slot finished with 664 points, setting a program record for most points in the MW Championship. Boise State placed second with 651, while San Diego State placed third with 511 points.
"We're in the middle of Texas right now, but we feel so much love from the community and from the athletic department and we're all incredible thankful for that," Harper said. "It's been a great team and family effort this week and season. We're proud to be the Mountain West Champions and we're proud to be the Nevada Wolf w88 slot."
w88 slot will now set its sights on NCAA competition. The NCAA Zone E Diving Regionals are set for March 7-9 in Flagstaff, Ariz. The 2016 NCAA Championships will be March 17-19 in Atlanta, Ga.
